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13/12/2002
Public warned over illegal taxis
Christmas is a time for giving but illegal taxi drivers are taking the public for a ride that could end in disaster, the DOE’s Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency has warned.
In the run up to Christmas DVTA officials have announced they are to put into action, alongside the police and custom and excise officers, a clampdown on any illegal or pirate taxi activity.
Stanley Duncan, the Agency’s Chief Executive, said: “It is important that the public are aware of the risks of travelling in illegal taxis, and the steps they should take to ensure their safety.
“Any member of the public using a taxi should check to ensure that it is legal, as their own safety could be placed in jeopardy as a result of using an illegal taxi,” he advised.
The current laws dictate that any legal taxi in Northern Ireland should display a current public service vehicle disc (yellow or ‘H’ in the case of public hire taxis and Green or ‘P’ in the case of private hire taxis) and the driver must have a taxi driver identity badge.
In addition, in Belfast pedestrians are not allowed to 'flag down' or 'hail' a taxi unless it is licensed for public hire in the City of Belfast – which are predominantly London-style hackney carriages.
The enforcement operations will operate in the run up to the Christmas period and will be undertaken jointly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Customs and Excise Road Fuel Testing Unit.
The operations will cover the whole of Northern Ireland, but particular attention will be given to Belfast and Londonderry, where the problem of illegal taxis is particularly prevalent.
(AMcE)
In the run up to Christmas DVTA officials have announced they are to put into action, alongside the police and custom and excise officers, a clampdown on any illegal or pirate taxi activity.
Stanley Duncan, the Agency’s Chief Executive, said: “It is important that the public are aware of the risks of travelling in illegal taxis, and the steps they should take to ensure their safety.
“Any member of the public using a taxi should check to ensure that it is legal, as their own safety could be placed in jeopardy as a result of using an illegal taxi,” he advised.
The current laws dictate that any legal taxi in Northern Ireland should display a current public service vehicle disc (yellow or ‘H’ in the case of public hire taxis and Green or ‘P’ in the case of private hire taxis) and the driver must have a taxi driver identity badge.
In addition, in Belfast pedestrians are not allowed to 'flag down' or 'hail' a taxi unless it is licensed for public hire in the City of Belfast – which are predominantly London-style hackney carriages.
The enforcement operations will operate in the run up to the Christmas period and will be undertaken jointly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Customs and Excise Road Fuel Testing Unit.
The operations will cover the whole of Northern Ireland, but particular attention will be given to Belfast and Londonderry, where the problem of illegal taxis is particularly prevalent.
(AMcE)
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28 June 2012
Bus Lanes Could Be Opened To Taxis
The Northern Ireland public will be able to hail private hire taxis on the street when new licensing laws come in. The Department of the Environment has also launched a consultation on whether all taxis should be allowed to use bus lanes, which only some have access to at present.
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The Northern Ireland public will be able to hail private hire taxis on the street when new licensing laws come in. The Department of the Environment has also launched a consultation on whether all taxis should be allowed to use bus lanes, which only some have access to at present.
09 March 2018
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New Taxi Regulations Outlined
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New Taxi Regulations Outlined
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05 May 2017
Decision On Private Taxis Using Bus Lanes To Be Made By Next Minister
A decision on whether private taxis will be permitted to use bus lanes is to be made by the next roads minister, according to the Department of Infrastructure.
Decision On Private Taxis Using Bus Lanes To Be Made By Next Minister
A decision on whether private taxis will be permitted to use bus lanes is to be made by the next roads minister, according to the Department of Infrastructure.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
