Mapping out a new future for Ballina taxi drivers

Ballina Town Council is to publish a second set of proposals for the re-organisation of taxi ranks in the town. The latest recommendations will be advertised for public consultation in the coming weeks and submissions on the issue will be welcomed by the Council.
The proposed changing of the taxi ranks has raised controversy, with many councillors alleging abuse of the existing system by the taxi drivers. There have also been allegations of seriously anti-social behaviour at Ballina’s busiest ranks.
The Town Engineer of Ballina Town Council drew up some recommended rank changes which were published for public consultation last June. Four submissions were received and these were discussed at length by the councillors at their September monthly meeting.
Councillors felt that there should be one central taxi rank based at Emmet St in the town and a rank in the Dunnes Stores car park. Other suggested the Council also maintain the existing ranks at Market St and Emmet St. Enforcement of the bye-laws regulating the ranks will have to be much improved. Councillors also recommended that officials abandon their proposals to create extra taxi ranks on O’Rahilly Street.
Last Wednesday, Mr O’Grady outlined his latest suggestions to the Council. It was resolved to publish these for public consultation.
The Town Engineer has proposed that one central taxi rank be based on Pearse St. The Council would maintain the 18 metre loading bay at Heatons on a partial basis from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The proposed could accommodate 11 taxis at any one time - eight permanent spaces and three semi-permanent.
Mr O’Grady recommended that the Council retain the taxi rank outside their own offices at Arran Place as a subsidiary to the central rank. It accommodates three permanent spaces. The two ranks combined would provide a total of 14 taxi spaces in the town - 11 permanent and three semi permanent.
The proposed new ranks would be accessible to the general public. The replacement of scattered smaller ranks with one large central one would in turn allow ease of control and policing of the taxi system by the authorities.
Cllr Mary Kelly pointed out that she had proposed in September that the Council meet with the Ballina Taxi Association together with the local Gardaí before adopting any more taxi rank recommendations. Cllrs Ray Collins, Michelle Mulherin and Lady Mayor Frances McAndrew also called for such a meeting.
“Let’s get their views. I’m not saying we should let them come in and dictate to us but let’s see what they want,” Cllr Kelly said.
Cllr Jodie Beattie proposed that the Council proceed with the Town Engineer’s latest recommendation and discuss those proposals with the taxi drivers.
“They will have to make their members abide by the rules. They are not being adhered to. But that is because there are not enough Gardaí.”
Cllr Mark Winters said putting a rank on Pearse St might undo the positive effects of the on-street parking charges.
“We would be cluttering up the retail sector of the town,” he said. “We have collected £73,000 from taxis in this town and very little of that has been put into the taxi service.”
He said he would like to see a proposal providing for a taxi rank on Emmet St and one in the Dunnes Stores car park.
Mr O’Grady reminded the councillors that they had been invited to contact him with their suggestions. Only one of them had done so.
Cllr O’Malley said he was opposed to retaining the taxi rank outside the Council offices. The Council should move that rank to the back of Dunnes Stores. Three spaces from the Humbert St car park could be allocated to accommodate it.
He said the Council should also consider retaining the taxi rank on Garden St. It could be used as a loading bay during the day and as a taxi rank at night.
The Councillor proposed that the Town Engineer’s recommendations together with some of his own amendments be put to public consultation.
Cllr Padraig Moore said he supported the traders of O’Rahilly Street’s suggestion that one central rank be developed at Victoria Terrace. The location of a taxi rank in the centre of town would lead to trouble, with large groups of people gathering together. He urged his colleagues to decide on the issue once and for all.
Cllr Kelly said she would have a lot of safety concerns about locating a taxi rank by the river on Victoria Terrace. Mr O’Grady agreed.
Cllr Nolan said the Town Engineer’s recommendations should be put to public consultation.
The Town Engineer said all parties would be invited to make submissions on the new recommendations. The Council is willing to meet with anyone to discuss the proposals.
Mr Granahan advised the Council that putting a rank in the Dunnes Stores car park would hinder the development potential of that site.
“The onus is on the public to make submissions when the proposals are advertised. We hope they will,” he said.
Mr O’Grady assured Cllr Mulherin that the Council would meet with the local Gardaí to discuss the operation of the ranks in the town.
Cllr Beattie proposed that the Town Engineer’s proposal be put out for public consultation. Cllr Mulherin seconded the motion.