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.”