Taxi users could be paying almost 10% more per journey by the end of the year.

The National Transport Authority has recommended putting up prices, after an increase in operating costs for drivers over the last two years.

Every two years the NTA looks at the cost involved in running a taxi from fuel prices, to the impact of inflation and increases in public transport.

It said costs for drivers have risen by 9% since the last review and that fares should increase to reflect that.

Business journalist Joe Lynam said it follows a maximum charge increase of 12% less than two years ago.

“This is considerably more than inflation in this country which is around 2%,” he said.

“So, there’ll be a lot of people who use taxis that will be despairing at the huge surge in prices.”

A taxi queue at Dublin Airport.

Dublin taxi driver Alan is against the move.

“Every time we get an increase we have to pay for the meter to be changed,” he said.

“We have to pay then to have the meter sealed and for the last increase that we got, we haven’t earnt back that money.”

People can have their say on the proposed changes with a public consultation now underway until August 16th.

Main image: A taxi rank in Dublin City Centre. Image: Andrew Michael / Alamy Stock Photo