Mallon launches targeted consultation on taxi fares review
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has launched a targeted consultation on a taxi fares review as part of her ongoing plans to assist the taxi industry as they rebuild following the Covid restrictions.
The Department has today written to all stakeholders, including the Consumer Council, to seek their views on proposals to increase the maximum taxi fare tariff across Northern Ireland.
Minister Mallon said:
“Throughout the pandemic I have engaged regularly with the taxi sector and acknowledged the pressures that they have been under. I provided £16.7million of support to existing drivers from the two financial support schemes and regulatory support that I put in place last year and I remain committed to working with the sector in continuing to monitor the impact of Covid restrictions on them.
“Last week I announced an Action Plan to provide further support to the taxi industry and a key part of that was the intention to consult on taxi fares, as this was a specific concern raised during our engagement with the taxi sector.
“The targeted consultation launching today is aimed at people involved in the taxi industry in Northern Ireland, including taxi operators and drivers. It will also consider consumers who use taxi services through engagement with the Consumer Council. My Department has written directly today to all those in the sector and the Consumer Council and I would encourage responses by 5pm on Friday 15 October.
“Once the responses have been analysed my officials will provide a report for my consideration. Following consideration of the feedback, I would hope to be in a position to implement any proposed changes before the Christmas 2021 period, subject to the necessary legislative changes.”
The consultation documents are available on the DfI website at: Taxi Fare Increase Targeted Public Consultation
Notes to editors:
- Detail on Minister Mallon’s Taxi Action Plan is available at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/mallon-announces-taxi-action-plan-provide-further-support-taxi-industry
- The Taxis Act (NI) 2008 Section 16 provides the Department with the powers to set a maximum taxi fare tariff.
- It is Departmental policy to undertake a desktop review of the tariff every 2 years in order to determine if a fare change is required. This targeted consultation is based on costs data gathered in 2019. A comprehensive, up-to-date review of costs will also be completed in 2022, post COVID pandemic.
- The Minister has agreed to the commencement of a 4 week targeted consultation on the proposals to increase the maximum taxi fare tariff across Northern Ireland.
- Following the closure of this targeted consultation, the results will be analysed, along with other sources of evidence, and a report provided to the Minister for her consideration.
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