TAXI users are set to get hit in after a new recommend looks to drive the cost of fares up. Fares look set to increase by approximately 9 per cent later this year after the National Transport Authority recommended a proposed hike to reflect the cost of operating a taxi. The NTA has launched a public consultation on the proposed fare increase following its regular two-yearly review of charges in the industry.
And it has recommended a maximum fare increase of 9 per cent given the potential impact that price rises could have on consumer demand for taxis. Its latest recommendation follows an average increase in taxi fares of 12 per cent approved following the previous review in September 2022. Night fares at the time were increased by 17 per cent to incentivise drivers to operate during the peak demand period.
And a portion of the increase was used to compensate taxi drivers for the requirement to provide cashless payment facilities in their vehicle. The latest review which was carried out between November 2023 and March 2024 examined the impact of inflation , fuel prices, the general economic situation and increased public transport availability in Dublin and surrounding areas. The NTA said it showed “sustained, steady economic growth in Ireland with resultant inflationary pressures”.
However, it also observed that uncertainty was the defining feature of the economic climate faced by taxi drivers over the past decade including supply chain issues resulting from Brexit which .
