New arrivals unable to depart by taxi

Taxis, taxis everywhere and not a lift to be got.

Taxis and their drivers may have been gathering in their hundreds at Dublin Airport yesterday, but anyone wishing to hire their services were being told to get the bus.

Mr John Dickson (19) had just arrived from Canada, his first time in Ireland. Leaning wearily on a trolley laden with two rucksacks, a guitar and sleeping bag, the only bearings he had was the address of a youth hostel in the city centre.

As he approached the taxi rank, a porter from the company which runs the rank told him there was no service. He was pointed towards the bus stop.

When asked what he thought of the situation, Mr Dickson said it was "kind of difficult".

"I've been on a plane quite a while now and I just want to get to the hostel." Mr Stephen Hugget, a business executive with Bewleys in Britain, had just arrived from London. He said his feelings about the lack of taxis were "not printable".

"I come every other week. This is extremely aggravating," he said, before retiring back into the arrivals hall.

Some who certainly weren't aggravated were car hire agents on the ground floor. Ms Jenny Curran, rental sales agent with Avis, said the desk had "done a good lot of extra business" as a result of the taxi strike.

"There have been families, but mostly businessmen, who would be coming back to the airport later in the evening." The daily car rental rate was about £30, she said.

Also not grumbling was Mr John O'Sullivan, managing director of Aircoach, the new coach service between the airport and the city centre which had met with protests from taxi-drivers when launched several weeks ago.

"We've had capacity coaches all day. It's been very busy."

He said most mornings the coaches carried about five to 10 passengers each. "The majority have been carrying between 30 and 50 this morning. We're absolutely thrilled. It's making more people aware of the quality service we offer." The service into the city centre costs £4 a person.

At that point, Mr Hugget re-emerged from the arrivals hall to board an Aircoach. Wondering if there was any alternative, he asked The Irish Times if it was running a private taxi service. "No? You'd make an awful lot of money if you did," he sighed.