Parking fines clampdown on taxis outside Ceannt Station

Community wardens have been instructed to issue fines to any taxis that are found to be parking in or around the station to pick up passengers.

There is ongoing controversy over the fact that six designated taxi parking spaces outside the station have been decommissioned.

The spaces have now been provided on Fairgreen Road (opposite the Radisson Hotel), which is around 70 yards away from the station entrance.

Taxi representatives in the city say that this is discriminatory against those with mobility problems and want the situation reversed.

Galway City Council have been accused of bullying by moving the taxi rank from outside the station to a new location.

The taxi representatives make the argument that a service should be available to people with reduced mobility who arrive at the station. Some, they say, cannot even walk to the new taxi rank.

Taxi drivers’ representative Henry Hegarty said that their campaign to provide accessibility to taxis for people with reduced mobility had fallen on deaf ears with both city and county councillors.

“The problem at Ceannt Station and new coach station has reached crisis point with no access to either of these locations by taxis.

“The City Council has instructed its community wardens to issue parking fines to taxis applying for hire at the new coach station and has forced both the public and taxis up to an unworkable taxi stand at the top of Fairgreen Road.

“This is blatant bullying by the City Council for their poor planning of the area. City and county councilors should be very mindful of their obligation to both the elderly and people with disabilities along with the general public who use these facilities and their lack of concern for the problem,” Mr. Hegarty added.

He makes the argument that bus and rail passengers with reduced mobility should have the same rights as airline passengers who have immediate access to a taxi service or public transport option.

“From my reading of these regulations, I believe that both Bus Eireann and the City Council are in breach of this law.

“The situation at both stations is nothing short of disgraceful for the many elderly people who come into hospitals by bus or rail for appointments along with the many people who visit our city and county. This matter must be addressed,” Mr. Hegarty added.