Members of the public in Athlone are being encouraged to have their voices heard on the issue of the provision of taxi ranks in the town. A public consultation process began this week as it was announced that the Council proposes to review the location and number of ranks in Athlone.
The currently approved ranks comprise six taxi spaces in Church Street, two in Barrack Street, five on Southern Station Road, two at Sean Costello Street, and three at Athlone Institute of Technology.
The town’s taxi drivers have been anxious for additional ranks to be allocated for the west side of town in particular, while Cllr Paul Hogan has repeatedly argued for loading bays to be used as taxi ranks outside of business hours.
Chairman of the Athlone Taxi Federation, Paddy O’Callaghan, is urging all interested parties, particularly business owners on the west side, to make a strong case for additional ranks in the town.
“I am screaming to pubs, restaurants, and other businesses on the west side of town to come on board and put in a submission. This concerns their customers as well as ours, and they should be part of the equation,” he told the Advertiser.
Mr O’Callaghan praised the efforts being made by Athlone Town Council to accommodate taxi drivers’ requests. “Credit must be given to the council, which has already reinstated the rank at Barrack Street. This is a good gesture, and a sign that things are moving in the right direction.”
Members of Athlone Taxi Federation held a meeting on Tuesday evening this week, during which a secret ballot of taxi drivers found that Mr O’Callaghan should continue as chairperson of the federation. The vote followed a row at last week’s meeting, when opposition from a ‘rival’ group of drivers led to Mr O’Callaghan’s resignation.
It has now been decided that a constitution be set up for the Athlone Taxi Federation, and a working group has been established to get feedback from all drivers. Mr O’Callaghan believes that a number of drivers who had broken away from the Taxi Federation are to consider rejoining the group. “If we have issues there is only one place to discuss them and that is in a controlled environment. If we are all together we are stronger. It is important that we stick together.” he said.
Meanwhile the five Athlone taxi drivers who received €250 fines from the Taxi Regulator three weeks ago are to appeal the fines, and Mr O’Callaghan is hopeful that the fines can be quashed.
Submissions are currently being invited from the public with regard to the need, location, and number of taxi ranks required in the town. These should be returned to town clerk John Walsh by Wednesday October 29.
