Taxi Fares Rise 9% with Additional Charges for Passengers
Taxi App Uber Criticizes New Fare Hikes,Citing Harm to Nightlife and Drivers
Dublin,Ireland – A recent decision by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to increase taxi fares has sparked criticism from ride-hailing giant Uber,who argue the move will negatively impact Ireland’s nightlife and fail to address the ongoing taxi shortage.
The NTA’s changes include a €1 increase in the pre-booking fee for taxis through apps, raising it from €2 to €3. This represents an increase of over 10%. Additionally, peak-time rates have been extended, and a “special rate” previously applied only during Christmas and New Year’s will now be in effect during weekend peak hours.
Uber Ireland Head Kieran harte expressed concern that these measures will disproportionately affect workers in the hospitality,entertainment,and nightlife sectors.”This decision will not only discourage people from enjoying the night-time economy but will also harm businesses that rely on late-night trade,” Harte stated. “Ireland is already more expensive compared to the UK, France, USA and Australia, and this decision will penalize users further.”
Uber points to the NTA’s own Taxi Driver Survey, published in August 2024, which found that only 14% of current drivers would be encouraged to start driving nights with increased prices. The survey also revealed that 19% of drivers stopped working nights because it was “not financially worth it.”
Uber is calling for alternative solutions to address the taxi shortage, such as improving driver and customer safety, reducing the cost of entry for new drivers, and updating the SPSV Driver Entry Test’s geography-based knowledge requirements.
“Uber believes that expanding the taxi fleet is crucial to improving reliability and accessibility, particularly in rural Ireland and at night,” harte emphasized. “We,and the Taxis for Ireland Coalition,urge the NTA to implement proactive policies that will lead to a 30% increase in the number of taxis nationwide by 2027.”
NTA Fare Hikes: A Night Out Just Got More Expensive?
Dublin, Ireland – The National Transport Authority’s (NTA) recent decision to increase taxi fares has sparked controversy, with ride-hailing app Uber criticizing the move, arguing it will damage Ireland’s nightlife and fail to address the ongoing taxi shortage.
The NTA’s changes include a €1 increase in the pre-booking fee for taxis through apps, rising from €2 to €3, representing over a 10% increase.Peak-time rates have also been extended, and a “special rate” previously applied only during Christmas and New Year’s will now be in effect during weekend peak hours.
Kieran Harte,Head of Uber Ireland,expressed concern that these measures would disproportionately affect workers in the hospitality,entertainment,and nightlife sectors. “This decision will not only discourage people from enjoying the night-time economy but will also harm businesses that rely on late-night trade,” Harte stated. “Ireland is already more expensive compared to the UK, france, USA, and Australia, and this decision will penalize users further.”
Uber referenced the NTA’s own Taxi Driver Survey, published in August 2024, which found that only 14% of current drivers would be encouraged to start driving nights with increased prices. the survey also revealed that 19% of drivers stopped working nights as it was “not financially worth it.”
Instead of fare hikes, Uber is advocating for option solutions to the taxi shortage, such as:
Improving driver and customer safety.
Reducing the cost of entry for new drivers.
* Updating the SPSV Driver Entry Test’s geography-based knowledge requirements.
“Uber believes that expanding the taxi fleet is crucial to improving reliability and accessibility,particularly in rural Ireland and at night,” Harte emphasized. “We, and the Taxis for Ireland Coalition, urge the NTA to implement proactive policies that will lead to a 30% increase in the number of taxis nationwide by 2027.”