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Use the Mytaxi app? You're going to have to pay a new €2 booking fee

The company said that the charge is an ‘industry-standard fee’.

CAB-BOOKING APP Mytaxi has announced that it will no longer waive a €2 fee for any booking made by phone or through its app.

In an email sent to customers today, the firm said that a €2 booking fee “is an industry-standard fee charged by all taxi providers in Ireland”.

“In the past, we’ve asked Mytaxi drivers to discount this fee for our customers,” it said.

“From Thursday, 21 September to align with taxi industry standards, we’re no longer requesting that drivers discount the €2 booking fee.

“We’re confident that by implementing this change, Mytaxi drivers will offer an ever-improving, market-leading service when you need it most.”

Mytaxi customers already pay an initial charge when they book a cab through Mytaxi. This initial charge is €3.60 during non-peak hours, or €4 during peak hours.

Mytaxi did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fora.

The change has not gone down well with customers, many of whom have queried the price increase online.

The changes are in line with guidelines set by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which regulates taxi prices.

Under NTA rules, the set initial charge for all taxis is €3.60.

The NTA also says that a booking fee of €2 “may be charged for any method of engagement other than engaging at a taxi rank or hailing in the street.

“Such circumstances include a booking made by telephone, email, smartphone app, fax, text or letter, or a booking made through a telephone call or a personal visit to a dispatch operator’s office,” it says in guidelines on its website.

Rebrand

The fare increase will likely be unwelcome for Mytaxi, which recently rebranded.

In July it was revealed that English-owned taxi app Hailo, which was popular in the irish market, was to be rebranded and merged with Mytaxi.

Since then the company has spent millions of euro on a huge Irish ad campaign as it aimed to hold onto its user base.

However, the firm has faced some problems since its rebrand. In May it admitted that “tech gremlins” have prevented some users from being able to hail rides.

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Written by Paul O’Donoghue and posted on Fora.ie

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brianán McBride
    Favourite Brianán McBride
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    Jun 15th 2020, 6:03 PM

    I am really looking forward to seeing Dad tomorrow, except on What’sApp video I haven’t seen him since 6th March, this is the longest we have ever been apart.

    252
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 15th 2020, 6:07 PM

    @Brianán McBride: I hope you both have a great time.

    166
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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Jun 15th 2020, 6:10 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: thank you Logan.

    71
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Oliver
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    Jun 15th 2020, 6:25 PM

    @Logan Shepherd: happy reunion

    36
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    Mute Helen Thornbury
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    Jun 15th 2020, 8:02 PM

    @Brianán McBride: I’m getting to see my mum on Wednesday – first time since late February as her nursing home locked down really early. Feels so long ago now. Hope your visit is brilliant Brianan & that your dad stays well xx

    51
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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Jun 15th 2020, 8:03 PM

    @Helen Thornbury: thank you Helen and the very same to you xx

    26
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    Mute marian
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    Jun 16th 2020, 9:48 AM

    @Brianán McBride: why don’t you take your Dad home to live with you!?

    1
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    Mute Patricia
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    Jun 16th 2020, 11:35 AM

    @marian: you pest

    2
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    Mute Patricia
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    Jun 16th 2020, 11:36 AM

    @marian: you toxic person

    2
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    Mute Stupid Blanket
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    Jun 15th 2020, 5:59 PM

    Bawling

    73
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    Mute Andy Byrne
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    Jun 15th 2020, 7:25 PM

    No surprise that Middletown House coped so well. Fantastic management and staff. Well done Deepa, Helen and crew.

    43
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    Mute MollyMsalone
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    Jun 15th 2020, 7:04 PM

    Great to see such happiness at this time.

    36
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    Mute Pat Thornton
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    Jun 15th 2020, 7:15 PM

    Of course not all nursing homes are interpreting the changes in the same way. The one my dad is in is still only doing window visits and even next week it is a single person as the nominated contact who may get in subject to whatever management decide this week. Not easy.

    26
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    Mute 8-Bit-Relic
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    Jun 15th 2020, 5:42 PM

    “This is our new reality”

    16
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 15th 2020, 5:51 PM

    @8-Bit-Relic: Your new reality is whatever you make it yourself ..

    42
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