This article is from page 9 of the 2006-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
GREEDY taxi drivers who refuse to bring passengers on longer journeys outside the town of Ennis during peak hours, are a rare exception rather than the norm.
That is according to Union Taxi Federation representative, Martin White. He was responding to claims that a young woman, living miles outside Ennis, was left in town on a busy weekend night, in preference to shorter taxi runs.
Other late night party goers have also told The Clare People that they were asked to wait for half an hour for a taxi, until the driver was finished with local runs.
“I can imagine it happens,” said Mr White. He said, however, that 99 per cent of drivers would take the person home immediately.
“Once a person gets into the taxi to hire you, they must be taken home.
“I know I have never refused such a fare. I can’t see any taxi driver seeing any girl left there.”
The only exception is if a passenger has taken drugs or alcohol and is abusive or threatening to the driver.
There are currently 115 taxis in the county town, an increase of 400 per cent over the last two years. New legislation is currently being considered that will allow taxi drivers refuse fares over 18 miles.