Portlaoise needs more Taxis, says election candidate
Pauline Flanagan said the falling numbers of taxis in Laois 'has serious implications for personal safety and businesses'
The falling numbers of taxis in Laois 'has serious implications for personal safety and businesses', according to Laois general election candidate Pauline Flanagan.
The independent candidate said the 14% fall in the number of taxis in Laois since 2019 needs to be tackled immediately.
Ms Flanagan said: ‘We have to tackle the prohibitively high costs that taxi-drivers face and find better ways to support and encourage taxi-drivers.
"They are a critical social resource who should not be left to the ravages of the market. The absence of taxis also has a crucial impact on businesses that depend on late-night customers, from rural restaurants to bustling city pubs, and stifling local economies that thrive on a vibrant nightlife.
"The absence of taxis also has serious implications for customer and worker safety. It will be a priority for me to make it far easier for people in urban and rural areas to get a taxi and to make it easier for people to get into the taxi business.
"I will work closely with representatives to end a scenario where fewer taxis are now available for a growing population.
"One in seven taxi drivers leaving the market is not a sustainable situation. If there is a problem we need to solve it, not talk about it."