TAXI DRIVERS ARE set to escalate their campaign against Uber’s new fixed-fare model after their union said no stakeholder responded to their ultimatum to engage in talks by yesterday evening.

Drivers will stage another major protest in Dublin this Thursday from 4.30pm.

Organisers said they “sincerely apologise” for disruption but insisted the action is necessary as drivers face “severe, immediate and unsustainable” financial pressure.

In a statement this morning, drivers accused Uber’s fixed-price system of undermining the regulated taxi fare structure set by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Uber recently introduced the optional fixed-price model, guaranteeing passengers a maximum fare upfront instead of the usual estimated range that can rise with traffic or route changes.

The company says it will reduce “meter anxiety”, and passengers will still pay the lower amount if the meter comes in under the fixed price.

More than 6,000 drivers in Ireland currently use the Uber app.

Taxi drivers claim the model amounts to “predatory pricing” and leaves drivers earning less, particularly during traffic delays.

They also warned that drivers’ mental health is deteriorating as incomes fall.

Drivers are now calling on Dublin Airport to stop facilitating Uber at the airport, arguing that fixed fares there are having a “significant and detrimental impact” on operators’ livelihoods.

They have also threatened a boycott of Irish businesses that partner with or advertise with Uber, saying the sector will withdraw support from any brand “that legitimises Uber’s operations”.

The dispute follows weeks of growing unrest since Uber introduced the optional fixed-price fare.

Taxi drivers fear other app operators will follow suit, ultimately weakening the role of the meter and increasing dependency on platform-controlled pricing.

Drivers also urged the NTA and Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien to intervene, warning that further protests and nationwide disruption will follow unless the issue is addressed.