Proposals for 31 new taxi ranks in Dublin city are set to be made available for public consultation from tomorrow.
Dublin City Councillors will tonight be asked to approve draft bylaws for nine permanent ranks and 22 night time ranks in the city centre.
The bylaws also propose the extension of four existing ranks, the relocation on the same street of two ranks, and the reduction in length of one rank. Only one rank, currently outside the Shelbourne Hotel, would be eliminated under the bylaws.
Fianna Fáil councillor Paul McAuliffe said the new spaces were necessary to ease pressure on existing ranks, and to make it easier for passengers to get a taxi.
“Taxi drivers are being moved on by gardaí policing overflowing ranks. The existing rank locations are insufficient and awkward for both drivers and passengers.”
However, the bylaws do not take into account changes to ranks which will be needed when the construction of the cross city Luas begins later this year. Some taxi ranks will be suspended for the construction phase, while others will have to be removed permanently.
“It is planned to incorporate all Luas related changes in a separate future review,” the council’s traffic department said.
The proposed permanent ranks would be at Baggot Street Lower; Barrow Street;Burgh Quay; Cavendish Row; Eccles Street; Hanover Quay; Hanover Quay; Marlborough Place and Silloge Road.
Night time ranks are proposed for Baggot Street Lower; Bridge Street Lower; Capel Street; George’s Street Great South; Leeson Street Lower; Mount Street Lower; Ormond Quay Lower; Parliament Street; Phibsborough Road; Sackville Place; St John’s Road West; St Stephen’s Green South;Thomas Street and Wellington Quay.
Ranks will be relocated on Adelaide Road and Chancery Place, and extended at Christchurch Place , Dame Street and Hatch Street Upper. There will also be an extension at St John’s Road West, but a reduction on the same road outside Heuston Station.
