Sinn Féin spokesperson for Transport John Brady has called on the Minister for Transport to rescind his decision not to allow an extension of the working life of taxis even if they pass the necessary safety and road worthiness tests.

John Brady said:

“I have already spoken out about the pressures that taxi drivers face. The government has done nothing to address the issues that the industry is facing. The government need to listen to ordinary taxi drivers and take appropriate action to protect their livelihoods.

“But the insistence by the Minister for Transport that from next year, taxis registered from 2015 will no longer be allowed in service – even if they pass the threshold for industry roadworthiness, is both deeply unfair, and will put many drivers out of business.

“Under the Ministers punitive writ once a vehicle reaches the ten-year limit, the licence holder is no longer permitted to apply to the National Transport Authority for a renewal of a licence with that vehicle. 

“Which places the financial burden on a taxi driver of securing a replacement younger model vehicle, in addition to undergoing the industry road worthiness tests.

“I again call on Minister Eamon Ryan to rescind this rule and engage with taxi drivers to address the major problems that the industry faces. Very simply, if a taxi is deemed roadworthy after going through an NCT test, and meets all regulatory safety requirements, taxi drivers should be allowed to drive it.”