evidence: National Transport Authority rules state that taxis are not allowed use bus lanes if they’re driving home or transporting goods, according to Dermot O’Gara, a spokesperson for the NTA. [...] A taxi, operating as a small public-service vehicle, is allowed use the bus lanes while carrying a passenger, or on the way to pick up a pre-booked fare, or if it’s "plying for hire" – in other words, driving along hoping to be flagged. [...] Fine Gael Councillor Paddy Smyth says that these rules are difficult to police. But banning taxis without passengers from using bus lanes makes sense, he says.