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New Northern Ireland taxi support plans do not go far enough according to some drivers
New Northern Ireland taxi support plans do not go far enough according to some in the trade.
One taxi driver from Belfast told TaxiPoint that the COVID pandemic has highlighted long-standing problems and left the industry struggling to survive.
Last week Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced multiple new measures to help the taxi industry rebuild following the end of COVID-19 restrictions.
Minister Mallon plans include fare reviews and wiping out DVA fees, to assist the taxi industry who are struggling to recruit enough taxi drivers to service the region's demand.
The ‘Taxi Action Plan’ proposes to wipe all DVA fees for new taxi drivers in 2021/22 and wipe DVA fees for one taxi meter test required to implement a fare change.
However a Belfast taxi driver said they “don't see anything to help taxi industry in Northern Ireland” despite the announced plans.
The driver suggested that the high costs and low taxi meter tariffs have pushed cabbies to work 60-plus hour weeks to make a living wage. This in turn was not enticing new drivers to enter the industry.
The driver was also concerned about the push towards more costly environmentally friendly taxi vehicles when finances within the taxi industry remain uncertain.
The Belfast cabbie said: “Current costs versus income is unsustainable to drivers as environmental increases to motorists impact the trade. Other public transport options are heavily subsidised unlike taxis which are solely paid for by the drivers.”
There were calls for a fixed national taxi tariff across the industry in Northern Ireland to be introduced. It was suggested that the move would be “fair to customers and drivers alike”, and would encourage higher standards and not declining standards which is currently the case, according to one driver.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said when she announced the plans last week: “I continue to meet and listen carefully to the taxi industry and I am very well aware of the impact of Covid on their business. That is why 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. I welcome the fact that business has picked up considerably with the lifting of restrictions, however I recognise that there is currently a shortage of drivers and the sector has asked for my support in encouraging new drivers to join the industry.
“In order to assist the industry to rebuild and to encourage new drivers to enter the business, I am proposing that my Department will provide financial support to cover the fees for new drivers who successfully obtain their taxi driver and vehicle licences from April 21 to March 22. This support from my Department would mean a saving of over £370 for every new driver who successfully passes all the necessary tests to become part of the taxi industry and ensure that I am protecting customers through the provision of a safe taxi service.
“I am also announcing a targeted consultation on a taxi fares review which would address another concern of the industry around profitability and future viability, given that a fares review was last implemented in 2011. In doing so, my Department will consult with the Consumer Council to understand their views and ensure that the interests of customers are fully considered. Should a taxi fares review be implemented following that consultation, I would intend to provide further support to the industry by waiving the fee for the necessary taxi meter test, so that the taxi industry can receive the full benefit of any change to taxi fares.
“I intend to follow all necessary processes to put these support measures in place, including public expenditure processes, ensuring that I have the necessary budget to make this happen and also proposing the required changes to regulations.
“I want to continue to help the industry during these difficult times. These measures would go some way to address the issues raised by the taxi industry to assist it with recovery from the pandemic and to importantly provide support to attract new drivers to the industry.”
