OVER 1,000 TAXI drivers are planning to switch off the Uber app from 11am to 5pm today to coincide with the Japan vs Ireland Rugby match in an effort to protest the operator’s introduction of fixed prices. 

The protest is being organised by independent drivers who are coordinating it via a WhatsApp group. The members of the group are based in Dublin as well as other locations around the country. 

They are turning off the app during the big game to “send Uber a message” and are hoping that the company will “take notice”.

The organisers of the boycott have told drivers that they don’t need to be out of pocket and can use other apps to take jobs on what will be a very busy day with lots of tourists in Dublin city.

The Dublin vs Japan game will take place in the Aviva Stadium, with kick-off at 12.40pm. 

Uber’s policy change

Uber is an American company that provides app services for drivers with privately-owned vehicles. Drivers need to have a registered taxi or a small public vehicle licence to use the app. 

In Ireland you can’t avail of ‘ride sharing’ and it’s not the case that anyone can sign up to be a driver, so it operates very differently to the original American model. 

Uber announced this week that it it will start offering passengers the option of going with a ‘fixed price’ when booking a cab. 

Currently when you book a taxi via app with Uber and other operators you are shown an estimated price range which could eventually end up being higher depending on traffic or alternative routes taken.

Now Uber will show customers a maximum price upfront that will be guaranteed. The company says the option will bring an end to “meter anxiety”.

“When you request the Taxi Fixed Price Product, you’ll see a clear, simple upfront price,” a spokesperson said.

If the final price on the meter turns out to be lower that the maximum given, customers will pay the lower fare.

Uber has over 6,000 drivers in Ireland who use its app. 

Uber has fixed upfront pricing in other jurisdictions and though the model has faced legal challenges in the form of a class action from drivers in the past, but the model has generally been deemed legal. 

Drivers react

Many drivers work through multiple apps in Ireland, but those protesting this move from Uber are concerned that other major players will follow suit if it proves successful for the American firm.

One taxi driver who has been working in Dublin city centre for over a year told The Journal that they will be switching off the Uber app today because they believe that the introduction of upfront maximum fees is a way for Uber to “control how the market works eventually”. 

“This gives Uber an unfair advantage. They are playing as the good guys and saying that they are making pricing consistent, but they use surge pricing and charge people more when it’s busy, they give drivers and customers less control,” the 31-year-old said. 

“Over 1,000 of us are taking part … and we will be applying to have a physical protest soon too, because we are going to make our voices heard on this,” he added. 

Another taxi driver, Tony Farrell, who has operated in Ireland for almost 20 years said that he also views this pricing model as an attempt to “control the market”. 

“We work as per the meter,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe workers should essentially work for free when they are stuck in traffic or there is a route issue, because they’ve had to agree to a maximum price. 

Another Lucan-based driver said that Uber has likely arrived at this decision as customers have complained about the rate they have been charged as the maps system the app uses “does not account for taxi lanes or bus/taxi corridors”. 

“For one example, if you were to order a taxi to Wellington Quay from areas like Clondalkin during the hours that the quays are closed to the public the apps sometimes route you northbound and back through the port tunnel, and the estimate for that trip leaves customers scratching their heads, unless they get a driver who knows not to go that way. 

Several drivers said that they were worried that other apps would follow Uber’s lead on pricing, and that this would mean that fares would effectively not be set by meters anymore, but also that it would leave them dependent on apps for work eventually, regardless of how much commission the operating company takes per trip. 

One driver who spoke to The Journal said that they believe that fixed prices will eventually lead to the end of drivers being independent and self-employed workers, and will build up a dependency on the biggest players in the industry for work. 

Drivers are calling on the NTA to carry out a formal review of Uber’s new pricing policy in order to confirm that it fully complies with the Taxi Regulation Act. 

They have flagged that in their view, there is no way to ensure that customers will actually be charged the lower price if the fare on the meter is lower than the maximum fare given. 

A statement has been requested from Uber.