Taxi drivers in Athlone have given a tentative welcome to the news that steps are being taken by the Athlone Town Council to allow the use of the town’s loading bays as after-hours taxi ranks.
Town clerk John Walsh confirmed that the council had sought legal advice on the matter, and that a report is to be presented to councillors at their next meeting. If accepted, it will go out for public consultation as it will involve the amendment of by-laws governing ‘appointed stands’ or taxi ranks.
“We are reviewing the location and number of ranks needed in town, and will be taking into account the availability of space in loading bays,” said Mr Walsh.
While welcoming the move, local taxi driver Derek Chambers said it remained to be seen whether the use of loading bays as taxi ranks would fully address drivers’ issues.
“We will have to wait and see if this is progress. We were told that all the loading bays would be changed to ranks, but unless all the bays can be used there is going to be confusion.”
In addition, he says, the taxi market is currently flooded in Athlone. “There are still too many taxis in the town. The Taxi Regulator keeps issuing licences, and the problem won’t be solved unless they put a cap on it, even if only temporarily.”
Mr Chambers was one of approximately 40 taxi drivers who were involved in a strike last Friday night in protest at drivers being issued with parking fines by Gardai, and he is convinced this is what it takes to get things moving. “The Athlone Taxi Federation has been dealing with the town council on the issue for a long time, and all of a sudden there is movement after we have a second strike. It was organised out of pure frustration as the Gardai had been issuing tickets to drivers over two or three weekends.”
However, former chairman of the Athlone Taxi Federation, Paddy O’Callaghan, who resigned his position this week following the strike action, has repeatedly voiced his opposition to “knee-jerk” actions.
“Last Friday was a knee-jerk reaction. At this time striking is out of the question. We have to consider visitors to Athlone, and I don’t think the Chamber would be too happy with us. We all have to support each other,” he told the Advertiser.
He added that taxi drivers needed to start having “more respect” for each other. “The issue is not the Gardai handing out fines, it is that there are so many taxis on the streets. Even if the loading bays are used as ranks, I guarantee six or seven taxis will try to park outside Coppers. The problem is that drivers have no respect for each other. If the ranks are full, don’t start double-parking.”
Meanwhile Cllr Paul Hogan expressed his solidarity with the drivers following last weekend’s strike. “The current situation is untenable. On any given weekend night, up to 180 taxi drivers operate out of eight taxi spaces. The sums just don’t add up.
“It is very unfair for taxi drivers, who work very long hours to provide income for the families, to be hit with parking fines for parking in a loading bay at 2am when all the shops are closed.
“I reiterate my previous comments calling for loading bays to serve as taxi ranks after shops are closed. What is happening at the minute is crazy,” he said.
