The number of active taxi licences in Northern Ireland has more than halved since 2014, prompting calls for a review of taxi regulations.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Members of the Legislative Assembly were told the industry is losing 1,200 drivers a year on average.
With the country hosting big events such as Euro 2028 and the Open in 2025, there are fears there won’t be nearly enough taxis to deal with the influx of tourists.
Members of Stormont’s Infrastructure Committee received a stark briefing on the state of the industry from representatives on Wednesday 10 April.
MLAs heard that while demand for taxis is increasing post-Covid, the number of licences and drivers on the road is decreasing rapidly.
Stephen Anton, communications manager at Fonacab and of the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, said there were almost 16,000 active taxi licences across Northern Ireland in 2014, but by the end of last year this figure had fallen to around 7,500.
But Mr Anton warned this isn’t necessarily the number of active drivers and there are currently around 5,000 taxi drivers on the road any given week. He said the void is being filled, to a degree, by “illegal” taxis.
He said there needs to be around 7,500 drivers on the road each week to cope with current demand and “significantly” more going forward to handle the growing tourism industry.
In terms of recruitment of drivers, Mr Anton explained that, prior to changes in the rules in 2014, prospective taxi drivers only needed three years’ driving experience, a medical and an Access NI and safety check. Now they also require a theory and practical taxi test.
He said the majority of taxi drivers currently on the road are operating under the “grandfather rules” and the current theory test is “not fit for purpose”.
Mr Anton said red tape and issues with the theory test mean it could take more than six months to obtain a licence.
He said there needs to be more of an incentive for drivers to apply to become a taxi driver, or else they will “go and drive for Tesco and Amazon”.
Mr Anton said the industry is losing around 1,200 drivers each year, but only bringing in about 200.
Concerns were also raised about a lack of wheelchair accessible taxis.
Cathy Mallie of Clanrye Taxis in Newry said rural areas are also struggling with a lack of drivers and the situation is “dire”.
She estimated that the chances of a passenger getting into an unlicensed taxi in Newry is “around 50%” and this poses a risk to both passengers and drivers.
Mr Anton said: “We would ask whatever [the Department for Infrastructure] does going forward, they factor in the visitor economy.”
He added that, if they are going to meet the growing demand for taxis, “we need to ensure there is the capacity”.
Mr Anton added that there needs to be an overarching review of the Taxis Act, a “fresh approach” to taxi driver licensing, and support to get more wheelchair accessible taxis on the road.
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