The main purposes of the Taxis Bill are to improve safety, drive up standards in the industry for the benefit of both taxi users and the taxi trade, and make it easier to clamp down on illegal taxiing.
The Minister said: “Many people in Northern Ireland use taxis regularly, usually on a night out with friends. But taxis also provide vital community support, particularly in rural areas. They are a lifeline for people who don’t have access to a car or good public transport and every day they bring many children with special needs to and from school. I know older people and people with disabilities depend heavily on taxis to get around. Also, the fact that so many business visitors and tourists use taxis underlines the value of their contribution to the economy and how important it is that they project a positive image of Northern Ireland.
"The downside of the taxi industry comes when there are not enough taxis to meet demand at busy times, low quality vehicles, poor customer care, extortionate fares and unsafe, unlicensed and uninsured drivers and vehicles. This Taxis Bill will demonstrate my commitment to support the taxi industry in driving up their standards so that all taxi users get a good deal. I will continue to tackle the menace of illegal taxiing. I am determined to apply tougher enforcement and other measures to make sure that every taxi on our roads is safe, driven by an insured, licensed driver and operated through a reputable taxi business."
The Bill will create a new framework for regulating taxis and bring in operator licensing for taxi businesses, new training and testing requirements for taxi drivers and tighter controls on taxi fares. PSNI and DOE will be given stronger enforcement powers and there will be tougher penalties for unlicensed taxiing.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Proposed measures in the Taxis Bill include provisions giving police and DOE’s Driver and Vehicle Agency enforcement officers more and stronger enforcement powers to tackle illegal taxiing. These include powers to stop and seize unlicensed taxis and to inspect premises where it is suspected taxi services are being provided without an operator's licence - the maximum fine for which will be £5,000.
2. The Bill also contains provisions making it possible for DOE to improve the standard of taxi services by:
- bringing in operator licensing for taxi businesses
- allowing all taxis to pick up on the streets without a booking
- setting maximum fare rates for all taxis
- requiring all taxis to have taximeters
- making all new drivers pass a taxi driving test
- insisting that all taxi drivers have relevant training, including in how to deal with customers
- allowing some taxis to operate shared services able to charge individual passengers separate, but cheaper-than-normal fares
- requiring operators to provide more taxis designed to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities
- allowing only accessible vehicles like these to use taxi ranks
3. A copy of the Bill can be found at: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/legislation/primary/assleg07.htm
4. If passed, the new legislation is not expected to be in place until at least early in 2008.
5. After they are introduced, Assembly Bills must go through a number of further stages before they can become law. It is expected that the Assembly will have its first opportunity to debate the Bill before the Assembly begins its summer recess on 6 July. The Assembly’s Environment Committee will also be asked to scrutinise the legislation in detail.
6. DOE previously consulted on this legislation (as an Order in Council) beginning in August 2006. The Order was later laid at Westminster but ‘fell’ when the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored on 8 May 2007.
7. Further News Media information from DOE Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0003.
