IRELAND: The increase in taxi charges in Ireland will take effect from September 1

The increase in taxi charges in Ireland will come into effect from September 1. NTA has decided to increase the charge considering the increased operating cost of taxi vehicles. This is the first increase in taxi charges in Ireland since 2018.

The current charge hike is based on a survey conducted by NTA among taxi drivers in the country in 2019. As a result of the survey, NTA decided to increase the taxi charge in the country from 2020, but it was postponed considering the Covid. Taxi drivers in Ireland earn an average of €28,800 a year, according to the NTA. The NTA expects drivers to receive an additional income of €3456 from the fare revision. The NTA report also states that there has been an increase of 11 percent in the average operating cost of taxi vehicles during the period 2017-2022.

Under the new charge structure, the standard initial charge will increase from €3.80 to €4.20 from September 1. The premium period from 8pm to 8am, the charge on public holidays and Sundays will also be increased from €4.20 to €4.80. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has informed that there will be an average increase of 12 percent in taxi charges.

In a statement issued by NTA, it was announced that the card payment system will also be made mandatory and cash payment can be made as per the convenience of passengers. While the majority of taxis in Ireland currently have such systems, the new law makes all taxis in Ireland mandatory for cashless payment devices.

A small section is still against it. Once the law comes into force, all taxis will have this system. Apart from this, there are also reports that NTA is planning to phase in the entry tests for taxi driver qualification.