The transport watchdog has received 291 complaints about taxis not accepting card payments, or not having a card machine.

The complaints to the National Transport Authority, released to Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act, were made over the past seven months.

Since last September, every taxi in Ireland must accept credit and debit card payments - as well as cash.

Since the new rules came into force, the NTA has issued 79 fines following roadside checks for 'cashless payment device' offences.

A person makes a contactless card payment. Picture by: Pro Shots/Sipa USA

National Private Hire and Taxi Association spokesperson Jim Waldron said he is 'not surprised' by the figures.

 "I think it's taking a little bit of time for the transition to happen; for drivers to adopt and to equip themselves with cashless payment systems," he said.

"They should have been doing it since last September, but I think they're all getting in line now.

"There's a lot of taxi drivers who are in the older category, and they wouldn't be very well versed on the use of electronic equipment or that type of thing.

"So, I think it's taking them more time to transition," he added.

Main image: Taxis in line on Dublin's O'Connell Street in 2013. Picture by: Wanderley Massafelli/Photocall Ireland