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Taxi coalition warns of demand and safety concerns due to cab shortage during festive period

The coalition said that rural areas are particularly affected by the lack of sufficient taxi services, as there is often no public transport alternative.

THE TAXIS FOR Ireland Coalition has warned people who plan on socialising throughout the Christmas period to ensure they take steps to get home safely – warning of an increased demand in taxis and safety concerns given a shortage in available taxis. 

The Christmas period is one of the busiest of the year for taxi drivers, particularly in areas where public transport is not available. 

The coalition, which was formed in the latter half of 2023, counts the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Licensed Vintners’ Association, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, Association of Irish Festival Events, Bolt and Uber among its members.

A statement released by the coalition said that the availability of taxis is expected to fall far short of the demand. The coalition warned that this not only inconveniences travellers but also raises serious safety concerns, as individuals may resort to “unsafe travel alternatives” or face extended wait times in vulnerable situations.

It added that rural areas are particularly affected by the lack of sufficient taxi services, as there is often no public transport alternative. 

The coalition reiterated its previous call on newly elected TDs to work towards an increase in taxi numbers across the country. Representatives from a number of political parties, including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gale, Labour and the Social Democrats had supported this call during the general election campaign, it said. 

CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Pat Crotty, said that increased taxi number would enable people to socialise safely and responsibly.

“We don’t want people resorting to unsafe practices – whether that be drink driving or unlicensed taxis – due to the lack of transportation,” he said. “There are many small and large towns that do not have bus services and if they do, they do not run throughout the night. This demand on taxis will certainly be exhausted over the Christmas period.”

The coalition stressed that while further development of public transport should be supported, taxis should not be left out of the equation

The coalition is not seeking deregulation of the industry, only an increase in taxi numbers in response to increased demand, it added.

Increased fares

On 1 December this year, an increase of 9% on taxi services was applied by the National Transport Authority, which said the increase is to reflect the “rising costs” of operating a taxi service. 

The fee for pre-booking a taxi – including through an app – will increase by one euro, moving from €2 to €3 from now. 

A “special rate” that is applied to weekend nights between midnight and 4am will see taxi prices rise to €2.20 per kilometre.

This rate also applies to taxi journeys taken on Christmas Eve, from 8pm to 8am on St Stephen’s Day, and during the same time from New Year Eve to New Year’s Day.

There is an initial charge of €5.40 on “special rate” taxi fares. Standard rates, which apply Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm, are set at €1.32 per kilometre. There is a €3 booking charge in place for all taxis booked online and over the phone. 

A number of representatives of various taxi companies, including Uber – a member of the Taxis for Ireland Coalition – strongly criticised the increase, with Uber saying the move will impact the night-time economy and fails to address the ongoing taxi shortage. 

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    Mute Vannin
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 6:51 PM

    It’s great news at last, it’s the small businesses that suffer the most and it’s about time the small companies get the help they need, it’s they afterall that form the communities and hold together society, not some multinational that will bugger off when it suits them or when the “deal” is up.

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    Mute Aasif
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 6:31 PM

    Great news more small businesses getting loans grown their companies then taking on 2 job bridge slaves to work for them.

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    Mute Vannin
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 6:54 PM

    Not a fan of jobsbridge but at least there should be a chance of a business for them to go to, which I’m sure in anyones eyes is a good thing.

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    Mute Aasif
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 7:04 PM

    I’d rather sh_te in my hands and clap for eight hours than be a slave for a profitable company big or small.

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    Mute Paul Carey
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 7:58 PM

    So enlighten us as to what benefit you personally bring to society?

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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 8:29 PM

    The benifits class is alive and well in Eire

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    Mute Sean O' Shaughnessy
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 9:08 PM

    My god what an irrelevant person

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 8:29 PM

    Ged Nash will not be elected again I believe, that is what I seem to hear from the Drogheda direction…

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 10:37 PM

    He won’t be

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    Mute John Ward
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 9:17 PM

    Ned Gash is junketing off to Sweden for St Patrick’s Day.
    I sincerely hope that there are some good and caring Irish people in America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia etc. who are well aware of what’s going on at home and will come out and demonstrate wherever these wasters show up! Tell your family members and friends abroad, who have been forced to  emigrate by the actions of this so called government, to let these miserable ministers  know how they feel at the St Patrick’s Day parades around the world.

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    Mute SCO Electrical
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    Feb 24th 2015, 12:50 AM

    Keep Calm & Crowd Fund….

    I’ve seen it all now

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    Mute Jay
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 7:56 PM

    I wish you would shit in your hands. I’ve had two jobsbridge candidates who are still employed. Attitudes like your are the reason hard working folk resent social welfare.

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    Mute Jay
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 8:39 PM

    Assif. Get a job.

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    Mute Jay
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 8:23 PM

    Assif, do you need a hug?

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    Mute Jay
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    Feb 23rd 2015, 8:00 PM

    Assif you tool.

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