Patrick O'Donovan
Question:754. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a matter (details supplied) regarding mini-buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7151/13]
View answerTuesday, 12 February 2013
Questions (754)
Written answers
I am not aware of a vehicle age rule that applies to the category of vehicle described by the Deputy.
The Road Transport Operators Licence (RTOL) administered by my Department is for commercial operators who carry passengers for hire and reward, using large public service vehicles which can carry nine or more passengers. There is no age limit as to the vehicles authorised on the RTOL licence – as long as they continue to meet all the relevant safety requirements.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. SPSV’s are typically vehicles which carry less than 9 passengers on a commercial basis for hire or reward.
Action 10 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report published at the beginning of 2012 recommends that a 9 year vehicle age limit should apply at licence issue or renewal for all new vehicles entering the fleet and for vehicles that have entered the fleet since 1st January 2009. Those entrants to the taxi industry since January 2009 have entered the industry on the basis of a 9-year age limit on vehicles.
As a transitional arrangement, existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1 January 2009 can operate up to 14 years of age subject to 6-monthly NCT testing and NTA licence renewal assessment. Therefore, it is envisaged that, over time, all vehicles older than nine years will be removed from the taxi and hackney fleet.