New Taxi Regulations Outlined

From January next year, taxi customers will be able to hail all cabs, black or otherwise, in the street, rather than having to secure a booking beforehand.

The news comes as Environment Minister Mark H Durkan outlines the timescales for new legislation affecting taxis to be brought in.

"His actions will raise standards, improve compliance, promote road safety, reduce illegality, improve accessibility and facilitate fairer competition," the Department of the Environment said.

From October this year, all new taxi drivers will have to undergo a specific taxi driver test, while a new specification for Wheelchair Accessible Taxis is to be introduced in May 2015 in a bid to make taxis more user-friendly for those with disabilities.

All taxis will also have taximeters and printers and adhere to maximum fare regulations from September 2015.

Minister Durkan said: "These changes will greatly benefit the public and the many visitors to our shores. Taxis will be easier to get, taxis will be safer to use, taxis will be better at looking after the requirements of our disabled citizens.

"One of the proposed changes will involve the removal of the restriction on private hire taxis to ply for hire in Belfast, an entitlement that all taxis outside Belfast enjoy. For residents and visitors to the city, this will make hiring a taxi much less restrictive and confusing."

He continued: "My Department has no role in limiting the choice consumers have in terms of how and when to secure a taxi and which type of taxi they wish to use. Why should I stand in the way of a member of the public if they want to choose a safe, fully compliant, licensed taxi, driver and operator in any part of the North?

"So while I am aware of the concerns of the Belfast Public Hire taxi drivers, I must balance these with the requirements, clearly set out by consumer and disability groups, to improve regulation for a safe, fair and fit for purpose taxi industry. I have concluded that it is time that the remaining elements of the Act, which came onto the statute books back in 2008, are actually implemented."

(IT/JP)