Taxis and hackneys fined by NTA at Galway Races
Over 20 spot fines recorded
By Dara Bradley
The National Transport Authority (NTA) issued more than 20 spot fines to taxis and hackney operators at Ballybrit Racecourse during this year's Galway Races.
A team of NTA compliance officers descended on the racecourse to ensure Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSV) servicing the track during Race Week were legally compliant.
The seven-day festival concluded last Sunday week, but an NTA spokesperson said its Galway compliance operation was still ongoing.
“To date, over 20 fixed payment notices have been issued and there is one alleged case of an unlicensed operator currently under investigation,” the NTA said.
Compliance officers were working at Ballybrit on a number of days during the Galway Races Summer Festival, including Wednesday Plate Day, and Thursday, Ladies Day.
The NTA declined to give a breakdown of offences but the regulator’s compliance officers and Gardaí can issue spot fines for several SPSV offences with fines ranging from €80-€250.
Among the offences for which fines can be issued are: Standing for hire in a taxi otherwise than at an appointed stand; failure to operate taximeter while taxi is on hire; unreasonable refusal by the driver to carry a passenger; and failure to accept cashless payment or to carry a functioning cashless payment device.
Meanwhile, Galway Gardaí made four arrests at the event – relating to public order incidents – between Monday July 27 and Sunday August 2.
A Garda spokesperson said one person received an adult caution, two people will be referred to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau and one person was charged and is currently before the courts.
The overall attendance at the event over the course of the week was just under 125,000, down by about 1,000 on last year.
“An Garda Síochána implemented a comprehensive policing plan for Race Week to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending the event and visiting the city during this exceptionally busy period,” the Garda spokesperson said.