The number of Dublin taxi licences should be increased to 3,200 - a rise of 850 - by the end of 2002 to meet the shortage in the capital, a forum established to examine the sector has recommended.
According to the report, published yesterday, the new licences should be issued under a modified points system, retaining the existing fee of about £15,000 per plate, and all new vehicles should be wheelchair-accessible.
The Dublin Taxi Forum was established by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last December to issue recommendations for improving small public service vehicle operations in the capital.
It is recognised that a severe shortage of taxis exists in Dublin, particularly late at night and at weekends. But the forum has identified the lack of a late-night public transport service as contributing to the problem.
The forum's chairman, Mr John Mahony, last night predicted that, when implemented, the recommendations would bring about a "significant improvement" in Dublin's taxi service while simultaneously continuing to provide a reasonable living to drivers.
Representatives of the National Taxi Drivers' Union and the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation met the Departments of the Environment, Public Enterprise and the Taoiseach as well as the Garda and the business and consumer sectors in drawing up the report.
The forum strongly recommends that fares and entry to the taxi market should continue to be regulated, with a regular review of charges to passengers. Among the 45 recommendations is a proposal that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, should address the regulations governing hackneys in order to enforce the clear distinction between them and taxis.
The forum proposes that while the controversial restriction on the use of two-way radios and telephone equipment in hackneys should be lifted, roof signs on these vehicles and their access to bus lanes should not be permitted.
However, "some means" of identifying hackneys was necessary in order to allow the Garda to enforce the regulations.
The forum recommended that the administration of the taxi service should be centralised in a "lead authority" and suggests that a single taxi-meter area for Dublin and its hinterland - based on an agreed mileage from the GPO - should be established between the relevant local authorities.
This lead authority would set standards of service and establish a consumer focus panel with a customer charter and complaints procedure.