Cork City streets and traffic are making life very difficult for taxi drivers and causing them untold stress.
That's according to Derry Coughlan, the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation Cork representative.
The National Transport Authority has announced several changes for taxis from September including a 12% fare hike and a provision to accept card payments.
Taxi drivers have expressed concern about the fare hikes and the damage they may inflict on the trade as they come at a time when people are already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Speaking to RedFM News, Derry Coughlan says facilities in the city are not suitable for taxis:
"We need better facilities in Cork City, we can't drop off passengers due to the cycle lane barriers, we can't pick up passengers in streets that are closed by night which isn't on at all. We can't pick up at kerbside on the main functional streets of Cork. In London, they're getting rid of the cycle lanes to ease the traffic problems, they already got rid of road ramps. Ramps are doing a lot of damage to our cars as well and there's too many in Cork, so how can the only public transport available operate. It's very stressful for the taxi drivers at the moment and that's why the service is breaking down."
