Irish Taxi Fare Hikes Spark Pushback from Ride-Hailing Giant Uber
A recent surge in taxi fares in Ireland is raising eyebrows and concerns about the future of the country’s thriving nightlife.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) recently implemented a series of changes, including increasing pre-booking fees for taxi apps from €2 to €3 – a hike of over 50%. This means ride-hailing apps like Uber, already struggling with local driver shortages, must now impose a higher initial charge on users who book their rides ahead.
Adding to the price increase is the extension of the “special rate,” normally applied during the holiday season, to weekend peak times. Passengers using taxis during these hours now face a €2 per kilometer charge on top of the pre-booking and initial charges.
This double whammy has sparked a strong reaction from Uber, which argues that exorbitant fare increases will ultimately stifle late-night businesses andHarm
Those pre-booking a taxi through taxi apps will also have to pay an extra €1 fee for this service, with the NTA increasing it from €2 to €3.
‘_"This will disproportionately affect workers in the hospitality, entertainment and nightlife sectors," Uber Ireland head Kieran Harte expressed, emphasizing his worries about harming the vital night economy of the country.
"Ireland is already more expensive compared to the UK, France, US and Australia, and this decision will penalise users further."_
Uber insists that encouraging more drivers is the solution, advocating for policies like improving driver and customer safety, lowering the cost of entry for new drivers, and updating driver licensing tests.
The NTA’s changes, designed to increase revenue and attract more drivers, have "Uber Bosses claim has backfired, leaving passengers and businesses alike in the lurch.
Whether the NTA’s tactic will achieve its goals remains to be seen. However, the debate continues to heat up as many worry about the long-term impact of these price hikes on Ireland’s vibrant evening culture and transportation infrastructure.
[Image]
