As appears to be the norm in Ireland these days, there is no common understanding of what the taxi industry of the future will be like and even less of an idea of how create it. Clearly the current situation is not sustainable with the very providers of the taxi service striking.
In the not too distant past, the smoking ban was introduced. This was a highly innovative step and painted Ireland in a positive light - a leader, not a follower. The present financial and economic difficulties present challenges, however they also present opportunities of how we might envisage our future society. Given the taxi industry is currently under the spotlight, why don't we now take the opportunity to radically overhaul it. This overhaul could also help stimulate the economy, particularly if similar overhauls are conducted elsewhere.
Green Taxis
Yellow Cabs are synonymous with New York City, with London having the Black Cab. Why can't Ireland have a uniquely Irish taxi, the Green Taxi. The Green Taxi would be eco-friendly, driven by certified, security-cleared taxi drivers. The Green Taxi would be designed to be distinctive and safe.
The Green Taxi could be somewhat similar to the Black Cab used in London, but customised for the Irish market. It should be clean and green. Although initially expensive to buy, the Green Taxi would create natural barriers to entry, preventing too many taxis clogging up our streets, and making taxi drivers incomes more predictable in the long run.
The Green Taxi should become the stated ambition of Ireland's taxi industry, and future decisions should be made on that basis. Delivering on the Green Taxi is not without difficulty, but neither was the smoking ban.
In the not too distant past, the smoking ban was introduced. This was a highly innovative step and painted Ireland in a positive light - a leader, not a follower. The present financial and economic difficulties present challenges, however they also present opportunities of how we might envisage our future society. Given the taxi industry is currently under the spotlight, why don't we now take the opportunity to radically overhaul it. This overhaul could also help stimulate the economy, particularly if similar overhauls are conducted elsewhere.
Green Taxis
Yellow Cabs are synonymous with New York City, with London having the Black Cab. Why can't Ireland have a uniquely Irish taxi, the Green Taxi. The Green Taxi would be eco-friendly, driven by certified, security-cleared taxi drivers. The Green Taxi would be designed to be distinctive and safe.
The Green Taxi could be somewhat similar to the Black Cab used in London, but customised for the Irish market. It should be clean and green. Although initially expensive to buy, the Green Taxi would create natural barriers to entry, preventing too many taxis clogging up our streets, and making taxi drivers incomes more predictable in the long run.
The Green Taxi should become the stated ambition of Ireland's taxi industry, and future decisions should be made on that basis. Delivering on the Green Taxi is not without difficulty, but neither was the smoking ban.