Taxis oppose lower speed limits

Date Published: 15-Feb-2010

Proposals by City Hall to introduce a 19 miles per hour speed limit zone in the greater Galway City area would “bring the law into disrepute”, local taxi drivers have warned.

Galway City Council is planning to follow Dublin’s lead and introduce a 30km/h speed limit in the city, in order, it says, to encourage more cycling and to protect cyclists from collisions with vehicles.

The proposed zone boundary would stretch from Bodkin roundabout (Menlo Park Hotel), to D’Arcy Roundabout in Salthill (Seapoint), along Lough Atalia Road to Moneenageisha Cross, Cemetery Cross and back to Bodkin Roundabout. It will encompass areas such as Bohermore, Salthill, the Claddagh, Newcastle, Woodquay and the city centre.

But the Galway Taxi Association (GTA) says that the new speed limits along the Quays in Dublin are likely to be rescinded because they are not working and the organisation says Galway should not go ahead with similar plans here, when they have not been proven in the capital.

GTA Chairman, Enda O’Rourke, says the lower speed limits will not cost customers any more in fares, which are calculated on meters using both time and distance travelled, but the lower speed limits will “drive customers mad”.

“I can’t see why this would be necessary, especially at night. Where is this coming from? It’s not going to help traffic flows and it will bring the law into disrepute. I’d imagine the Gardaí will be pulling their hair out; they’ve enough to be doing. It will be like shooting fish in a barrel,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“The taxi industry gives a service and we’d like to think we can offer an efficient service. It would be very difficult, particularly at night, to give an efficient service with that speed limit. It will drive customers mad. I mean, the lower limits are not necessary.

“Extending the limit to Galway, when it hasn’t even been proven in the capital and where it looks like it will be rescinded in the coming months, will bring the law into disrepute,” he added.

Mr O’Rourke said City Hall should concentrate its efforts on finishing the bus lanes from the city centre to Renmore and Doughiska and developing an overall traffic plan, in consultation with businesses, taxi representatives, bus companies and other stakeholders.

He said the City Council should also complete its rolling-out of new taxi spaces in the city, and embark on a public awareness campaign to inform the general public that the new taxi bays are for taxis in the evenings and general motorists cannot park in them.

These issues will be discussed at the GTA’s Annual General Meeting on March 1.