The new taxi regime which has been established by the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 2000, is already bringing significant benefits to service users through the increased availability of taxis. Dublin Corporation, as the largest taxi licensing authority in the State, has engaged consultants to carry out a customer service assessment comparing current service levels with those obtaining during the last such assessment in 1998 and to identify potential areas for further service improvement. I anticipate that this study will provide more broadly based and up to date information on the level of taxi services in Dublin.
I intend that the process of making all taxis wheelchair accessible will commence by the end of 2003. I have also made clear my intention to consult extensively with representatives of consumer groups, of disabled persons and of taxi service providers to develop further quality improvements for taxi services for the benefit of service providers and the general public, in the medium term. My Department will finalise a consultation document in the near future. The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, (S.I. No. 182 of 1997), as amended by the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1998, (S.I. No. 441 of 1998), provide the statutory basis for the use of bus lanes. Such use is generally limited to buses and, in the case of with flow bus lanes, to cyclists. An exemption to that limitation is allowed in respect of taxis using with flow bus lanes. Taxis are allowed to utilise that exemption when in the course of business. Enforcement of these regulations and the public service vehicle regulations is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
