Seanad debates
Friday, 27 June 2003
Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage.
The recognition of the needs of people with disabilities in the area of taxi regulation is to be welcomed and we should see more of this. We have to be realistic as well. I have spoken to taxi drivers who have gone to huge expense in converting their taxis but have not received a return for doing so. We heard at the Joint Committee on Transport of governments in various countries who give contracts to taxi drivers to drive children with special needs to and from school. Those states guarantee that they will provide enough business for taxi drivers. This means that if the taxi driver goes to the expense of converting his taxi to be more user friendly he will receive some guarantee of income. This is an excellent idea which the Minister could examine in the future, especially in the context of school and hospital runs.
No comments