Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

'We're in the midst of a crisis': Dublin revellers warned of taxi shortage over bank holiday

Taxi driver representatives have said they feel as though they are being blamed for a crisis that is the government’s responsibility.

REVELLERS IN DUBLIN’S city centre over the bank holiday weekend can expect a long wait for transport home at the end of their nights out, as the taxi shortage in the capital continues.

There has been a drop-off in active taxi drivers since the pandemic and the industry has failed to recover following the lifting of restrictions. According to the National Transport Authority, currently there are 25,336 taxi driver licences, 18,849 of which are active.

An NTA survey this year found that 93% of licensed taxi drivers are now working, but only 29% work during the busy period of Friday and Saturday nights.

This week a number of readers shared their experiences of trying to get home after nights out socialising in the city centre, with some stating they waited hours for a taxi, while others decided to just walk home. Some said they had tried to use the public transport options that were available, but these too were full to capacity. 

It has, some readers said, turned them off socialising in the city centre unless they have a lift home lined up.

Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke raised the issue with the Minister for Transport recently. Speaking to The Journal, he said he “continues to be concerned about the crisis in the taxi industry”, particularly as we head into a busy bank holiday weekend.

“There is not supply to meet demand at particular times like the weekends, but there at other times when there is ample supply, so that’s something that needs to be looked at,” he said.  “We have a situation where, due to the cost of living increases and fuel price increases taxi drivers are struggling to get by and to make ends meet. 

“That points to a dysfunction in the market and we’re in the midst of a crisis now that has the real potential to get significantly worse.”

David McGuinness, chairperson of the taxi driver representative organisation Tiomanai Tacsai Na hEireann (TTnH), told The Journal that people who are planning to socialise in the city centre should be prepared for transport challenges. 

“There won’t be enough Luas or buses and unfortunately the taxi industry will be expected to pick up the flack – and the bad publicity – because there’s no other form of transport for people,” he said. 

Dublin Bus has said a full Nitelink service will operate on Friday and Saturday nights, but there will be no Nitelink service on Sunday, which is expected to be another busy night in the city.

Taxi driver representative organisations have called for a number of measures to address the shortage of night-time transportation from the city centre at weekends. McGuinness said the government and National Transport Authority (NTA) have to take responsibility for the issue as drivers feel as though the blame for the shortage has fallen on them.

“Drivers do feel blamed – every Monday or Tuesday after a busy weekend it seems like there are radio shows about how bad the taxi service is, how there aren’t enough of them, but there are 9,000 taxis in Dublin.

“We went to them with ideas, we warned them this would happen and it’s up to them now to come up with some kind of progressive ideas,” he said.

“They need to do something to attract young people into the industry because at the moment it’s not seen as a longterm option that people can set out a ten or 15-year career for themselves in.”

He said an easier transfer of taxi licences between family members should be facilitated again to encourage a passing-down of the job within families.

An adequate premium rate for weekend evenings may also attract drivers back into the city centre during those peak times, he said. 

The NTA has proposed a 12.5% overall fare increase as part of the current ongoing review of the Maximum Fares Order. This would include a premium rate during these peak times, but representative organisations have said this overall fare hike does not go far enough, particularly when rising fuel prices and the cost of living crisis are taken into account. 

The Department of Transport has pointed to a number of supports put in place during the pandemic such as an increase in the maximum vehicle age and a measure to allow licence holders to be inactive for 24 months so they could remain attached to the industry with no associated costs. 

The department said the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles [taxis] continues to meet on a monthly basis and that the NTA, which is the independent regulator of the sector, “has been in constant contact with operators, drivers and representatives throughout the pandemic via email, text messages and phone calls”.

McGuinness, a former member of this advisory committee, said the taxi representative organisations no longer engage with the committee. 

“We proposed changes to try make committee work better, those proposals were all just refused, there was no point in taking part in the committee,” he said.

In response to a recent question in the Dáil from Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said he disagreed with a proposal from the deputy to offer more flexibility on the ten-year rule for the age of vehicles in the fleet to ease the financial burden on drivers. 

“If we continue to increase the age of the fleet of the taxi industry, it will become an issue for customers and the quality of the industry at a certain point. It is now time to go back to the ten-year rule,” the Minister said. 

He acknowledged the loss of around 2,000 taxi plates but said there was “a strange mix of realities” in the industry.

“On the one hand, taxis are not very busy in some areas. On other occasions, people are flat out and it is difficult for customers to get taxis,” he said.

“We will work with the taxi regulator on an ongoing basis to make sure we get the best service and correct number of taxi drivers. If there needs to be more taxis on our streets, that might be one of the solutions.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
49 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute catherine
    Favourite catherine
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:33 PM

    So your saying there’s room for improvement? For the sake of national pride I WILL consume more chocolate. Ireland No 1. Come on people of Ireland we can do this!

    584
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uncle Monty
    Favourite Uncle Monty
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:45 PM

    That’s only 3.25 Twirls a week. Surely we can eat the fourth one.

    325
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute veronikahladova
    Favourite veronikahladova
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 9:24 PM

    That would be a result of all the clouds n rain

    35
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AN other
    Favourite AN other
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 11:40 AM

    The Belgians don’t make the top 10? Curious

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elma Phudd
    Favourite Elma Phudd
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:57 PM

    Americans way down the list. This is for one reason and one reason only. Hershey’s is kak.

    385
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pontius
    Favourite Pontius
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 6:00 PM

    You can feel the sugar granules in your mouth. It’s atrocious shit.

    192
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Nugent
    Favourite Robert Nugent
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 9:04 PM

    I avoid posting on this website, but I have to agree that Hershey’s is terrible.

    110
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 10:38 PM

    And because there is way too much choice in America so they are eating a little bit of everything…and not a lot of one thing. The reality of having infinite options.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Integra-Ted
    Favourite Integra-Ted
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:45 PM

    Very surprising seeing as since Mondelēz International, Inc took over Cadbury’s they have been producing pure muck which could barely be classed as Chocolate.
    I can understand the Swiss being the top as they are famous for producing real chocolate though!

    189
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pontius
    Favourite Pontius
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:59 PM

    You’re right. I’ve had to switch from Cadburys to Lidl chocolate. They have a white chocolate and strawberry flavoured on that goes down well with a pint of freezing cold full fat milk. Cant have chocolate without a pint of cold full fat milk.

    122
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liz (10) (^_^)
    Favourite Liz (10) (^_^)
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 5:38 AM

    Aldi chocolate is lovely

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sinlacasa
    Favourite sinlacasa
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:32 PM

    Why the picture of the fat kid?There are 1000 fat women for every fat man.

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mc
    Favourite Paul Mc
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 9:13 PM

    Sinlacasa. You are posting pure crap. Was at a dinner last weekend and nearly every middle aged man and over had stomachs hanging over their trousers. Women may have bigger asses but men have bigger bellies.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Redline
    Favourite Ben Redline
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:41 PM

    Cadburys Flake will be my death.

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sanity
    Favourite Sanity
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:02 PM

    Chocolate is made from cocoa, which come from a plant, so I’m definitely counting it as at least one of my 5 a day.
    (Green and Blacks or Lindt 85% is the best, though lidl 70% with caramel pieces is excellent.)

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sunshine on a rainy
    Favourite Sunshine on a rainy
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:41 PM

    Was in a chocolate museum in cologne last week, t’was fab!

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uncle Monty
    Favourite Uncle Monty
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 7:49 PM

    My cologne smells like chocolate. The amount of times I’ve been tempted to spray it directly into my mouth….Lynx have a lot to answer to.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rashers Tierney
    Favourite Rashers Tierney
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 7:34 PM

    Be the look of what I saw on the streets today as I was out and about, we probably have the third fattest arses on the planet. Could there be some sort of correlation?

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Favourite Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 6:05 PM

    Joint turd with England!!! I blame Cadburys!!;)

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Salter
    Favourite George Salter
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:01 PM

    The phrase “joint turd” suggests so many unpleasant images….

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liz (10) (^_^)
    Favourite Liz (10) (^_^)
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 5:39 AM

    The result of chocolate with laxatives I think.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uncle Monty
    Favourite Uncle Monty
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:39 PM

    I blame the cannabis.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thosj Carroll
    Favourite Thosj Carroll
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 6:09 PM

    I admit I eat choc because it makes me to feel good….

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute von
    Favourite von
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:00 PM

    I can see why the Swiss are first as their chocolate is to die for. Yum yum

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Flaherty
    Favourite James Flaherty
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:36 PM

    Hence why the nation is getting fatter by the minute!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:41 PM

    I’m a qualified scientician and I can assure you that there is no fat in chocolate

    159
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Flaherty
    Favourite James Flaherty
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:03 PM

    Sugar (carbohydrate) is the cause of the problems and chocolate has plenty of it.

    8
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:35 PM

    Nonsense. The sugars in chocolate actually break down fat. That, plus the fact it’s full of vitamins and minerals make chocolate the ideal superfood. I know what I’m talking about here, I’m an expert in chocolate

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:59 PM

    Tweety, there is a huge amount of cocoa fat in chocolate, the better quality the chocolate the more fat. If it wasn’t for the fat chocolate would never detach from the molds.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 9:09 PM

    I’m afraid you are mistaken David. Cocoa fats are a myth. I’ve consumed my own body weight in chocolate every week for many years and I’m as healthy as a butchers dog.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 9:27 PM

    Tweety, you better tell Stef Aerts he is wrong then. I trained under him. Belcolade’s chief chocolatier .

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 10:10 PM

    Who are people going to believe? An experienced scientician like myself or a chocolatiers apprentice?

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rashers Tierney
    Favourite Rashers Tierney
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 11:07 PM

    tweety, luvvit! :-D

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 11:00 AM

    No arguing with Tom Cruise is there, it’s mission impossible.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Siddall
    Favourite Joseph Siddall
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 11:12 AM

    I’m with you Tweety. What would a chocolatier’s apprentice know? And yes, after much research I can only agree that chocolate is, indeed, one of our five a day. Beef is also one of our five a day, being merely converted grass. And….sugar comes from either cane or beet, ergo another one of the famous five.
    This dietary lark is really quite simple, once you think clearly about it. I’m sure we could compile a comprehensive list without too much effort. Please feel free to add one to the list, but you must give your reasoning.
    A word of warning, your proposal must have some nutritional value. Saying “Car tyres are made from rubber, rubber comes from trees” would obviously be silly, whereas pizza, although a composite, would have merit for obvious reasons. Is milk a five a day? Do you really have to ask?
    Over to you.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute von
    Favourite von
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 8:03 PM

    I’m surprised the Belgians are not up there, they too have great chocolate, Leonidas is sooooo good.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Finnegan
    Favourite Kevin Finnegan
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 6:39 PM

    I would still eat well over that

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jax Maxwel
    Favourite Jax Maxwel
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:45 PM

    joint 3rd*

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jax Maxwel
    Favourite Jax Maxwel
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:45 PM

    giant turd lol

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Scott
    Favourite Gavin Scott
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 5:43 PM

    Wealthy first countries eat more chocolate shocker…

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 7:17 PM

    I make the stuff here, not this weather mind, it’s to damned hot. I use the best of Belgian chocolate, for chocolates, and figures. Covature, which i make now, for cake decoration. Surprising how sick of it you get when you have to make it!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rashers Tierney
    Favourite Rashers Tierney
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 7:54 PM

    Dave, I worked for a time with the outfit who manufactured Toblerone (when we still manufactured stuff here). What with our youth, the low pay, and our fondness for drink many of us subsisted on Toblerone for lunch – five days a week. I heartily concur with your assessment!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
    Favourite Nigel Tuffnel
    Report
    Jul 30th 2015, 1:44 PM

    That post just reminded me of the brown sauce thing in Intermission haha

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cyril
    Favourite Cyril
    Report
    Jul 25th 2015, 11:44 PM

    Cant beat Lindt Swiss chocolate. That US company that owns cadbury owns Toblerone as well so it will probably end up being manufactured in Poland and the Quilty will suffer.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Conneely
    Favourite Simon Conneely
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 12:13 AM

    Bring back the pink Snack bar and we will be no.1!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M
    Favourite M
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 6:03 AM

    Cadburys Mint Crisp ; the thinking mans dairy milk.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen
    Favourite Stephen
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 2:52 AM

    Why are people red thumbing the obvious answers. Stop eating chocolate you fat b@stards

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute keith Ryan
    Favourite keith Ryan
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 1:12 AM

    Lads i went to school with most of them look terrible .Bellies hanging out,fat and old looking now.Too much chocolate?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Tuffnel
    Favourite Nigel Tuffnel
    Report
    Jul 30th 2015, 1:48 PM

    Time and old age maybe?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lynne Anthony
    Favourite Lynne Anthony
    Report
    Jul 26th 2015, 5:38 AM

    Wow, thought for sure I’d be first #Ilovetoblerone

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds