Taxi fares increase by 9% with passengers facing further charges
The higher rate will apply to all journeys made between midnight and 4am in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Taxi fares have increased across the country by an average of 9%, with new changes also brought in set to increase the cost of coming home in the early hours following a night out.
The new changes came into effect Sunday, just in time for the busy Christmas period when demand for taxi services is set to be high.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the planned changes in September, which includes the extension of the “special rate” where services cost more.
Previously it had only applied between 8pm on Christmas Eve and 8am Stephen’s Day, and between New Year’s Eve night and New Year’s Day morning.
Now, the higher rate will apply to all journeys made between midnight and 4am in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.
It will result in customers facing the special rate initial charge of €5.40 compared to the standard initial charge of €4.40 as well as a higher tariff rate for the remainder of the journey.
Under the changes, the fee for pre-booking a taxi will also increase from €2 to €3.
The NTA said this change was brought in to “incentivise more drivers to service the nighttime economy”.
Taxi shortages have been highlighted in numerous areas in recent year, particularly in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.
A recent report by mobility consultancy Street, commissioned by Taxis for Ireland Coalition member Bolt, revealed that in Cork, 56% of peak-time requests are unfulfilled, compared to 40% of off-peak requests.
“The NTA’s biennial review is essential to ensuring the taxi industry remains sustainable and can continue to offer high-quality and reliable services,” NTA chief executive Anne Graham said.
“This 9% increase provides for the increasing operational costs drivers are facing while balancing the needs of the travelling public.”
The NTA said it will review the impact of this fare increase in 12 months to ensure that it serves both operators and passengers.
Danny O’Gorman, Ireland General Manager for Freenow, said it is becoming increasingly expensive to buy and operate a taxi, and the fare increase is necessary to ensure existing drivers can continue to operate the taxis.
“The new maximum taxi fare, set by the National Transport Authority, is weighted towards late-night weekend hours to better supply taxis at times of peak demand while supporting the night-time economy,” he said.
However, Mr O’Gorman added that fare increases aren’t all that is needed, with increased measures needed to support taxi drivers’ safety.
