Meeting hears of taxi problems
Longford's Garda Superintendent said they will be targeting taxi drivers who use 'other taxi ranks' to pick up customers in an effort to ease an ongoing problem.
He also insisted that there are no problems with the new taxi system in Longford town, despite assertions to the contrary by a local councillor.
"It is working as far as I am concerned," said Supt Shields, who pointed out that he is in regular contact with the local taxi association.
He did admit that there are one or two problems with the rank, the first of which is that regular drivers are illegally parking there from 7pm onwards, which he said may affect the occupation of taxis there at night. He said local gardai will be dealing with this.
Another problem with the rank, he said, was taxis using 'other taxi ranks', which he said gardai will also be dealing with.
Supt Shields also said that accusations among the taxi drivers themselves was also an issue. He described this as "an underlying current" that "has been going on for years".
Other issues in relation to taxis, Supt Shields said, are dealt with the Taxi Regulator, who visits the town about four times a year.
"There was an issue with illegal taxis, which was brought up by the taxi people who came in to me. Any of them that was highlighted, we addressed and dealt with," he said.
Cllr Tony Flaherty said there is an issue with people not being collected at the taxi rank.
He said he received a complaint from one man who was waiting for 40 minutes at the weekend, and that there were girls there who were waiting for a further 20 minutes before him.
"The taxis were going up and down the town without stopping (at the rank). If that's the case we must be the only town in Ireland that taxis aren't parking at the rank on the weekends," said Cllr Flaherty.
"On a busy Saturday night, there's no taxi out of 70-odd taxis that stops at the ranks. If that's the case, why have a rank at all?"
Cllr Michael Connellan added, "I understand that what is in place is working very well and I understand that it has been welcomed by all of the taxi drivers.
"I believe that there are some minor issues with regards taxi drivers working off the rank, but that's a matter for Garda and I know that they are dealing with that at the moment."
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
