Post by The Dark Knight on Apr 12, 2024 11:10:59 GMT
Active taxi driver numbers in Northern Ireland drop to 5,719 amid VAT fears
The Department of Infrastructure has proposed changing taxi operator regulations (Liam McBurney/PA)
The number of active taxi drivers in Northern Ireland has dropped to 5,719 while a proposed legislative change could increase fares and put firms out of business, a Stormont committee has heard.
The Department of Infrastructure has proposed changing taxi operator licensing regulation following court cases in England and Wales.
Appearing before the Stormont Infrastructure Committee, Stephen Anton of the Licensed Taxi Operators Association outlined that in 2014 there were nearly 16,000 taxi licences in Northern Ireland.
He said the number of taxi licences in December 2023 was 7,500.
However, he said that is simply the number of licences, not the number of active taxi drivers.
“In order to be a licensed taxi driver operating, you have to be affiliated to a taxi operator, and in January of this year there were 5,719 affiliated drivers, and we know from our own experience that on any given week around 80-85% of the taxi drivers who are working are actually out working if you take out holidays and sickness and so on,” he told the committee.
www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/national/24244586.active-taxi-driver-numbers-northern-ireland-drop-5-719-amid-vat-fears/
The Department of Infrastructure has proposed changing taxi operator regulations (Liam McBurney/PA)
The number of active taxi drivers in Northern Ireland has dropped to 5,719 while a proposed legislative change could increase fares and put firms out of business, a Stormont committee has heard.
The Department of Infrastructure has proposed changing taxi operator licensing regulation following court cases in England and Wales.
Appearing before the Stormont Infrastructure Committee, Stephen Anton of the Licensed Taxi Operators Association outlined that in 2014 there were nearly 16,000 taxi licences in Northern Ireland.
He said the number of taxi licences in December 2023 was 7,500.
However, he said that is simply the number of licences, not the number of active taxi drivers.
“In order to be a licensed taxi driver operating, you have to be affiliated to a taxi operator, and in January of this year there were 5,719 affiliated drivers, and we know from our own experience that on any given week around 80-85% of the taxi drivers who are working are actually out working if you take out holidays and sickness and so on,” he told the committee.
www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/national/24244586.active-taxi-driver-numbers-northern-ireland-drop-5-719-amid-vat-fears/