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