Taxis of Northern Ireland

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Taxis in Northern Ireland operate similarly to those in other parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland but have a few regional distinctions in terms of regulation.

Contents

History

The first horse dram tram service on the island of Ireland began in 1854 at Fintona, County Tyrone. [1] Black taxis were introduced in Belfast in the 1970s. [2] Taxi drivers frequently transgressed the boundaries between Protestant and Catholic areas of West Belfast during the Troubles. [3] In 2004, the first all-female taxi company in Northern Ireland was founded. [4]

Policies

Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Flag of Northern Ireland Assembly.svg
Northern Ireland Assembly
Long title An Act to make provision regulating taxi operators, taxis and taxi drivers; and for related purposes.
Citation 2008 c. 4
Introduced by Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of the Environment
Dates
Royal assent 21 April 2008
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through the Assembly
Text of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 4 (N.I.)) regulates taxis in Northern Ireland. [5]

The act was criticised by the Transport and General Workers Union who described the Department of the Environment as "not telling the truth" about the impacts of the legislation. [5]

The act allowed taxis to be used without a booking in advance. [5]

Dermot Devlin, a disability activist, has suggested that the act be reforemd to improve accessibility of taxis. [6] According to Devlin, accessible taxis are "non-existant" as of April 2025. [6]

Categories

Taxis have four classifications: class A, class B, class C and class D. [7]

In 2024, taxis were temporarily allowed to use bus lanes in Belfast if they fell under class A or class C. [8]

In 2025, a review of the licensing system was initiated. [9] The first stage of the review considered Class C licencing. [9]

References

  1. ↑ Scannell, James (2006). "From Horse Drawn Trams to LUAS: A Look at Public Transport in Dublin from the 1870's to the Present Time". Dublin Historical Record. 59 (1): 5–18. ISSN   0012-6861.
  2. ↑ Morin, Ashley M. (1 February 2025). "Conflict and Urban Mobility: Challenges and Responses to Free Movement in Belfast during the Troubles" . Journal of Modern European History. 23 (1): 99–113. doi:10.1177/16118944241307153. ISSN   1611-8944.
  3. ↑ Dowler, Lorraine (1 December 2001). "No man's land: 'gender and the geopolitics of mobility in west Belfast, northern Ireland" . Geopolitics. 6 (3): 158–176. doi:10.1080/14650040108407733. ISSN   1465-0045.
  4. ↑ "Women at the wheel of new taxi firm". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Taxi bill 'could cost 450 jobs'". BBC News. 26 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Taxi bill 'could cost 450 jobs'". 26 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "Taxis and their services | nidirect". NI Direct. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  8. ↑ Moore, Catherine; Wood, Jake (18 December 2024). "Taxis in bus lanes 'a huge step backwards', says cycling group". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 McCarthy, James Martin (25 March 2025). "Minister announces review of Taxi legislation starting with wedding cars and Uber". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
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