Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Friday, 24 July 2020

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response

Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed)

Photo of Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Maybe we should write to the Business Committee in the future to see that we are not losing our right to vote. We are elected by our constituencies to do that and to be here. I know this is a difficult time but we cannot be in two places at the same time.

I thank our guests for being here today. As I said earlier, taxi drivers are suffering extreme stress. Taxi drivers and private bus operators are going through a difficult and anxious time during the Covid-19 crisis as their incomes have dropped and some taxi drivers have been wiped out. Nonetheless, they must keep their cars taxed, insured and licensed. They are fearful of cancelling their insurance because they may find it difficult or impossible to get insurance in the future and a renewal of their policies could see inflated premiums.

Many drivers are over 66 years of age, working full time and paying income tax but, because of age discrimination, are unable to avail of the Covid-19 payment. Significant numbers of drivers have been in the business for 40 years and, having paid exorbitant fees for their taxi plates under the old system, are still bearing this financial burden. They face repeated costs, such as the cost of a taxi licence, which amounts to €250 for five years, and €125 per year for a vehicle licence. Can existing licence holders who are over 66 years of age be given some incentive? Perhaps licences should be made free to drivers over the age of 66.

Regardless of the condition of a taxi, it must be taken off the road once it is ten years old. Drivers have to upgrade their cars to keep a licence active and, in the current business climate in these difficult times, their cars are predominantly parked up. In these exceptional circumstances, could that ten-year limit be increased to 15 years to ease the financial stress on drivers?

Does the National Transport Authority, NTA, have surplus moneys that have been collected from taxi drivers over the years? If so, could those funds be made available to support drivers with car upgrades? These grants are already available for wheelchair taxis. Taxi drivers need support now.

Was there anything for taxi operators or private, independent bus operators announced in the stimulus package? I asked that question in our first session this morning and the union representatives said that they did not see anything in the stimulus package. Many operators are going out of business and I am worried that there was nothing in the stimulus package for them. Our guests might be able to answer those questions.

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