Taxi Fare Review Announced By Infrastructure Minister

A targeted consultation on a taxi fare review has been announced by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, as part of her ongoing plans to assist the taxi industry as they rebuild following the Covid restrictions.

The Department has today written to all stakeholders, including the Consumer Council, to seek their views on proposals to increase the maximum taxi fare tariff across Northern Ireland.

Minister Mallon said: "Throughout the pandemic I have engaged regularly with the taxi sector and acknowledged the pressures that they have been under. I provided £16.7million of support to existing drivers from the two financial support schemes and regulatory support that I put in place last year and I remain committed to working with the sector in continuing to monitor the impact of Covid restrictions on them.

"Last week I announced an Action Plan to provide further support to the taxi industry and a key part of that was the intention to consult on taxi fares, as this was a specific concern raised during our engagement with the taxi sector.

"The targeted consultation launching today is aimed at people involved in the taxi industry in Northern Ireland, including taxi operators and drivers. It will also consider consumers who use taxi services through engagement with the Consumer Council. My Department has written directly today to all those in the sector and the Consumer Council and I would encourage responses by 5pm on Friday 15 October.

"Once the responses have been analysed my officials will provide a report for my consideration. Following consideration of the feedback, I would hope to be in a position to implement any proposed changes before the Christmas 2021 period, subject to the necessary legislative changes."