Taxi drivers in Mayo county town want 'fair play'

CASTLEBAR'S taxi drivers want 'fair play' when it comes to using the ranks in the town, which are frequently occupied by parked up motorists.

They are taking a proactive approach, working with the council on improved signage to make them more visible. And they have suggested that a new taxi rank on Linenhall Street might assist in service delivery.

Taxi numbers have not recovered post-Covid, with around 40 operators in the town. Just a third of those are available at night.

Three members of Castlebar Taxi Association attended the monthly municipal district meeting - Austin Quinn, Paddy McGovern and John Coyne.

Mr. Coyne said the taxi rank across from Elverys on Bridge Street operates as a loading bay from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Anyone can then park there up until 8 p.m. when it becomes taxi only.

The problem is, people park up and go for a meal and drinks, with some vehicles left there for the weekend.

That hour-and-a-half is the issue and it should become a taxi rank from 6.30 p.m. to 8 a.m., he suggested.

A mix of loading bay/taxi use would also work on Main Street, he said.

Motorists parking in the taxi rank at Dunnes Stores is also an issue. “It is our place of work. You go to work and you cannot get into your place of work.”

Operating a taxi requires a huge investment, said Mr. Coyne, “and all we want is fair play and to get a fair return. All we want is our spaces at the allocated times, which we are legally entitled to.”

Better signage and improved markings on the road would help, and possibly some flexi bollards at the Dunnes location, he suggested.

The possibility of creating five taxi spaces on Linenhall Street could be explored, to also be used as a loading bay, which businesses want, Mr. Coyne added.

Mr. Coyne also spoke of drivers' fear of confrontation or being physically or verbally abused if they say anything where people disrespect the taxi ranks.

He also commented on the economic and social impacts on the county town, with just one third of the taxis operating at night.

Some people won't go out due to taxis not being available, and there were also issues with anti-social behaviour with people hanging around waiting in the early hours.

After Covid, between 25 and 30 taxi operators did not return to work in Castlebar, said Mr. Coyne. “That leaves a huge void.”

The council is working with the group on improved signage, with Councillor Blackie Gavin saying what is there at the moment isn't visible and maybe required a colour change to yellow.

Yellow boxes, similar to the blue disability spaces, as a pilot, could be explored, suggested Councillor Donna Sheridan.

With so many road signs and markings, people get confused. But if they were yellow throughout the country, people wouldn't go near them as much, she said.

The livelihoods of the taxi operators and also the economy of the town was at stake with this issue, pointed out Councillor Ger Deere, as people won't go out at night.

The operators need to be respected and there are also issues of regulation that need to be addressed at national level.

Any proposed taxi rank/loading bay on Linenhall Street would require by-laws, which would go out for public consultation.