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The National Transport Authority recommended a proposed hike in fares to reflect the cost of operating a taxi. Alamy Stock Photo

Taxi fare hike proposed by regulator for later this year

The NTA has launched a public consultation on the proposed fare increase.

TAXIS FARES LOOK set to increase by approximately 9% later this year after the National Transport Authority (NTA) recommended a proposed hike in fares to reflect the cost of operating a taxi.

The NTA has launched a public consultation on the proposed fare increase following its regular two-yearly review of charges in the industry.

It has recommended a maximum fare increase of 9% given the potential impact that price rises could have on consumer demand for taxis.

Its latest recommendation follows an average increase in taxi fares of 12% approved following the previous review in September 2022.

Night-time fares at the time were increased by 17% to incentivise drivers to operate during the peak demand time of the night time economy.

A portion of the increase was used to compensate taxi drivers for the requirement to provide cashless payment facilities in their vehicle.

The latest review which was carried out between November 2023 and March 2024 examined the impact of inflation, fuel prices, the general economic situation and increased public transport availability in Dublin and surrounding areas.

The NTA said it showed “sustained, steady economic growth in Ireland with resultant inflationary pressures”.

However, the NTA also observed that uncertainty was the defining feature of the economic climate faced by taxi drivers over the past decade including supply chain issues resulting from Brexit which affected the purchase of second-hand vehicles from the UK and the Covid-19 pandemic which imposed major restrictions on travel.

It pointed out that the results of a household survey commissioned by the NTA show the cost of living was affecting the demand for taxis with the number of people who said they used taxis down to 81% from 83% in a previous survey.

In addition, 43% of respondents said they were using taxis less, while only 9% said they were taking taxis more often than before.

The main reasons cited by people for taking taxis less is that they are not socialising as frequently as before and because they have lower levels of disposable income.

There were mixed results over whether people regarded taxis as good value for money with 34% agreeing, while 35% disagreed.

Research conducted for the NTA shows 52% of all taxi journeys were for “social” reasons. Demand for taxis is strongest on Fridays and Saturdays which account for over 50% of all fares.

The NTA noted that the results of the survey also demonstrated that alternative options are available for many people, mainly buses but also trams and trains.

It highlighted how the introduction of discounted Leap Card fares including the TFI-90 €2 fare made public transport in Dublin and particularly multi-leg journeys more affordable.

The latest figures show there were 16,526 registered taxis in February – up 2% since the last fare review in 2022 but down 7% on pre-pandemic levels.

The NTA said the number of small public service vehicles, which includes taxis and hackneys at 3.7 per 1,000 population is one of the highest per capita rates in Europe, while the rate in Dublin of 7.2 per 1,000 is far higher than other cities with a similar population.

The review showed the estimated annual running costs for a taxi based by drivers is €7,182 based on annual average travel of 49,800 kilometres. However, they have fallen slightly compared to two years ago due to reduced fuel prices.

In contrast, fixed costs have risen due to the increases in the price of vehicles.

The NTA acknowledged that labour costs – the earnings of taxi drivers which accounts for approximately two-thirds of all costs of operating a taxi– have increased by 9-11% since the last review two years ago.

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Travers
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    Dec 13th 2015, 3:56 PM

    What was that about?

    144
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:32 PM

    Creating talk by people to advertise themselves, like now on this site?

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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:41 PM

    You are supposed to create positive talk not confused talk

    31
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    Mute Paul Mc Manus
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    Dec 13th 2015, 3:56 PM

    What about the ‘FLUID’ people. Hey!!??? Hey!!??? Don’t they get a say? This country is so sexist lololol ;) ; )

    89
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:38 PM

    You mean the alcoholics as they are full of fluid lol.

    35
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    Mute Len Brennan
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    Dec 13th 2015, 6:37 PM

    I thought gender fluid was a biohazard.

    17
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    Mute Pepper
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    Dec 13th 2015, 3:53 PM

    Easy to spot the gay fella. He’s the one decorating the tree.

    67
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    Mute Pepper
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:02 PM

    And he has mistletoe in his back pocket.

    63
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:18 PM

    If it was a game show called spot the gay fella I’d agree but it’s supposed to be an advertisement ?

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 13th 2015, 5:23 PM

    Surely it’s the lad sitting on top of the tree.

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    Mute James Joseph Superior Power
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    Dec 14th 2015, 4:33 AM

    Easy to spot the fools.

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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 3:57 PM

    What in the flying **** did I just witness?

    57
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:10 PM

    It’s a normal add plus all the sexual orientation comments but what are they doing there in the first place?

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:33 PM

    Depends what you were looking at lol. Sorry…

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:19 PM

    It’s a joke.

    56
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:44 PM

    More like a Christmas tree dildo that man has in his hands?

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:59 PM

    Marketing stunt that has worked. What is so confusing about that.

    47
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:36 PM

    Clearly dyas don’t recognise trans ppl… There should be a protest!! And they should apologise to asexuals… They are ppl too

    32
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    Mute NachoBusiness
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:30 PM

    People really are not very bright these days. It’s called satire folks.

    24
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:43 PM

    And such satire is confusing & not funny, or maybe I didn’t get it ?

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 5:18 PM

    It is called angry satire?

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    Mute Alan McDonald
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    Dec 13th 2015, 6:24 PM

    I like it!

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    Mute Mark Fitzmaurice
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:12 PM

    Genius

    13
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:19 PM

    Care to enlighten us?

    18
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    Mute Stibby
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:25 PM

    Well it is an advertisement.. and advertising is what they got and alot of it..

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    Mute Gerry O'Brien
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    Dec 13th 2015, 5:02 PM

    Mark Fitzmaurice! does Maurice Fit Mark?

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Dec 13th 2015, 4:30 PM

    … And I’m going to burn in Hell, I mean I was born in Kells. lol…

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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Dec 13th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Hahaha.
    Gay man in the tools section?
    Funniest joke I’ve heard in ages.
    Almost as funny as that time Brokeback Mountain ended up in the western genre.

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    Mute Lloyd Hetherington
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    Dec 14th 2015, 1:56 AM

    You’re easily amused, Tommy.

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    Mute James Joseph Superior Power
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    Dec 14th 2015, 4:28 AM

    You have the brains of a turnip Tommy. I worked on a building sites for years. OMG I must be straight. The horror I better get a job as a hairdedde fast.

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    Mute James Joseph Superior Power
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    Dec 14th 2015, 4:38 AM

    hairdresser

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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Dec 14th 2015, 6:02 PM

    A hairdresser James ?
    Kojak’s.

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    Mute James Joseph Superior Power
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    Dec 14th 2015, 10:14 PM

    Manscape Is probble more to your taste Tommy.
    It’s known in the biz as back, sack, and crack.

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    Mute jenine whyte
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    Dec 13th 2015, 5:34 PM

    Never heard of Robert Dyas but now I’m intrigued. Great advertising

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    Mute Jho Harris
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    Dec 13th 2015, 9:24 PM

    Well I wouldn’t set foot in their store, the staff are all a bit thick regardless of their sexuality.

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    Mute Michael cunnane
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    Dec 13th 2015, 7:24 PM

    My name is michael Caine.And I’m a nosey neighbour!

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    Mute Mike Howard
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    Dec 13th 2015, 8:07 PM

    Hi , my name is Randie, I just came out to my employer – a Catholic publication paper and now I’m out of s job – fancy that now

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    Mute Alan Mac
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    Dec 13th 2015, 6:10 PM

    Wtf

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    Mute Gaz
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    Dec 14th 2015, 1:50 AM

    Weird!!!!

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    Mute TheGateFlorist
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    Dec 14th 2015, 10:43 AM

    Do they sell self tapping screws

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