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Posted on the 13th December 2024 in PHTM News
2,000 FEWER TAXIS ON NORTHERN IRELAND ROADS SINCE 2020
A Belfast taxi boss has warned of driver shortage as figures show dramatic decline in operational licences.
The number of operational taxis in Northern Ireland has plummeted by over 2,000 since 2020, according to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). This represents a 20% decline from the 9,164 registered three years ago.
Belfast has seen the most significant drop, with the number of registered taxis falling from 3,597 to 2,854 in just six months.
Derry & Strabane has also experienced a substantial decline, with 1,294 taxis registered in 2020 compared to 929 this year.
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole expressed concern over the issue, highlighting the impact on public transportation and the economy.
He daid: "There are many reasons for the fall in licence holders, with many drivers leaving the profession during the pandemic, while others have cited the difficulty in obtaining licences, alongside the cost of vehicle upkeep, pay, and safety concerns.
"It's clear the lack of available taxis is having an impact on our economy, putting people off going into the city and also on the lives of many people who struggle to access other forms of transport, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
"I would urge the Infrastructure Minister to revisit the application process to examine ways the profession could be more accessible, without compromising on the rigorous vetting process needed for taxi drivers.
"The Minister and his department should work with the sector and listen to the concern of drivers and businesses to ensure we have the drivers we need on the roads."
Stephen Anton, of fonaCAB (Belfast) Ltd, and spokesperson for the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, echoed these concerns. While acknowledging the decline in taxi licences, he emphasised the more pressing issue of the dwindling number of active drivers.
He warned that while the number of active licences was around 7,000 last year - "the number of active drivers was 5,791".
"That's to cover the whole of Northern Ireland, seven days a week, 24 hours a day."
But Stephen said around 300 of those are limo drivers, while holidays and sick days need to be factored in - so in reality you're left with around 4,750 drivers operating over a week which translates as "1,500 drivers operating across Northern Ireland at any one time" when shifts are factored in.
"The number of active drivers is the problem," Stephen added.
He warned that the current number of active drivers is insufficient to meet the demand, particularly during peak times.
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