NAAS: 18 April 2001: by Brian Byrne. New charges for taxi services in Naas have been agreed in principle by Naas UDC, but with the proviso that the Naas Taximeter Area be extended to take in a number of specific areas outside the UDC boundary.
The UDC wants a number of ‘regular destinations’ for Naas people such as the Arrow station in Sallins and Punchestown Racecourse be brought into the area. “Otherwise they can charge what they like,” Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane told Naas councillors. He noted that doing this will require the cooperation of Kildare County Council.
The new rates include a maximum fare of £3.15 for a distance not exceeding one mile or a five-minute time transport for up to two passengers. Each additional 1/10th mile or 20secs in a Naas gridlock will cost 15p.
Under the draft agreement with the newly-formed Naas Taxi Association, each extra passenger will be charged 40p. An ‘unsocial hours’ charge of 80p on top of the basic fee will apply between 11pm-8am weekdays and all day Sunday and Bank Holidays.
A ‘soiling charge’ of £35 will apply to those who can’t avoid regurgitating their night of booze or takeaway in the vehicle while being brought home.
The charges have also been translated into EUR values in advance of next year’s transition to the pan-Europe currency.
The councillors were told that the ‘target date’ for the new charge rate is mid-July, and that the Public Services Vehicle Inspector is ‘happy’ with the proposed charge rate.
According to town clerk Declan Kirrane there are now 32 taxi plates in existence in Naas. He told UDC members that the Naas Taxi Association has proposed that 10 parking spaces opposite the Town Hall should be turned into taxi spaces.
“I have reservations about giving away 10 prime Main Street parking spaces to taxi use,” he said, though admitting that as the North Market Square area currently used by taxis will ‘eventually be pedestrianised’, consideration will be needed about where taxi ranks will be located in the future.
Cllr Seamie Moore revived a previous suggestion that ‘loading areas’ in Naas should become taxi spaces at night.
©2001brianbyrne/knn