Fahey calls on Taxi Regulator to impose ‘tough sanctions’ on rogue taxi drivers

Galway West Fianna Fáil TD and Chairman of the Transport Committee Frank Fahey has called on the Taxi Regulator to impose tough sanctions on rogue taxi drivers who are engaging in ‘unethical’ driving practices in Galway City during the Race Week Festival.

Taxi drivers have been witnessed skipping queues at official taxi ranks to pick up fares and it is believed that many taxi drivers from other parts of the country are also operating in the city during the busy Race Festival.

Deputy Fahey said he ‘utterly condemns’ their actions and has asked for customers to be vigilant.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I witnessed the type of rogue behaviour of a number of taxi drivers in the city this week. I personally took the details of a number of taxis I observed taking part in queue skipping and have reported them directly to the Taxi Regulator.

“I utterly condemn this type of unethical approach to doing business by these drivers. I witnessed cars skipping the official taxi rank queue at Bridge Street, driving up on the outside of the rank and picking up fares without any thought for their fellow drivers who had been waiting their turn for a fare.

“I want to call on taxi drivers to take a responsible approach to doing business and to respect their fellow drivers.

“I have contacted the Taxi Regulator to ask her to deploy an enforcement officer from her office to the City. The Gardaí do their best at the rank, but at the end of the day they have other work to do and they cannot spend the whole night at the taxi rank. I have asked the Regulator to deploy resources from her office to the city this week because there is clearly significant flaunting of the regulations at work.

“There should be tough sanctions for drivers who act so disrespectfully towards other law-abiding drivers.

“I would ask people using taxis in the city to be vigilant and to report any irregularities to the Taxi Regulator at 1890 60 60 90,” Deputy Fahey said.