Ms Angela Kerins
Chairperson
National Disability Authority
25 Clyde Road

Dublin 4

6^th April 2004

Dear Angela,

Over the past 2-months I have had ongoing meetings with the Luas team, Dublin City Council and the Gardai.
On the 6^th April 2004 they are intending to remove the taxi rank from outside the bus station (Busaras) and locate it nearer Talbot Street.
This would be absolutely ludicrous, as those looking for a taxi after getting off a bus would have to haul their luggage across two Luas lines and down the street.  They would have to contend with the possibility of getting caught in the tracks and or dodging other traffic. This would be a risk to public safety and could further endanger those with mobility problems.
The Taoiseach's Taxi Forum (August 1998) stated that taxi ranks should be located at all major transport nodes, however Dublin City Council has confirmed that Luas cannot call this as the ranks are under the control of the elected representatives. I would appreciate if you would write to Tim O'Sullivan outlining the problems that a person with any form of disability may face. With your support I believe Dublin City Council will continue to have the rank at Busaras thus avoiding having to cross the road.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Kearns
Vice President