Safety concerns and increased demand are serious worries for the taxi coalition due to a major taxi shortage during festive period.
The Taxis for Ireland Coalition has called on people socialising during the festive period to ensure they take steps to get home safely.
This call comes ahead of one of the busiest weekends of the year with significant increased demand for taxis and public transport expected.
Availability falls short
The Coalition has also called on newly elected TDs to work on increasing taxi numbers across the country so that these concerns will not be prevalent across future periods of high demand.
Parties and TDs engaged in Government formation talks have been asked to remember taxis in discussions around the night time economy and public transportation system overall.
A press release from the Taxi for Ireland Coalition said they are “not seeking deregulation of the industry” only “an increase in taxi numbers in response to increased demand”.
“As celebrations ramp up nationwide, the availability of taxis is expected to fall far short of demand,” the press release read.
“This situation not only inconveniences travellers but also raises serious safety concerns as individuals may resort to unsafe travel alternatives or face extended wait times in potentially vulnerable situations.”
Rural areas
The Coalition highlighted that this is not only an issue affecting urban settings.
“Rural areas are particularly affected by the lack of sufficient taxi services, bearing in mind that there is often no public transport alternative,” it said.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland CEO Pat Crotty said that no region, urban or rural, is immune to the effects of the taxi supply shortage.
“This isn't just about convenience; it's about safety and ensuring that everyone can enjoy their celebrations responsibly,” he said.
“We don’t want people resorting to unsafe practices – whether that be drink driving or unlicensed taxis – due to the lack of transportation.
“This demand on taxis will certainly be exhausted over the Christmas period.”
App availability
Bolt Ireland Head of Public Policy Aisling Dunne said that during the Christmas period “a significant number of drivers turn off their apps and resort to road-side pickups only”.
“While this is an understandable practice due to the huge demand placed on taxi services during this time of year, it can often leave users stranded on streets late at night possibly in unsafe, cold and dark areas not knowing when or how they will get home,” she said.
“It is for these reasons we are calling on the incoming government to take steps to help solve this taxi supply shortage.”
The Taxis for Ireland Coalition has also launched a new website which includes their 2024 manifesto, an evaluation into Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) supply and a submission to the NTA’s Advisory Committee on Small Public Services Vehicles.
Taxis parked in Dublin City Centre on New Year’s Eve in Dublin. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews
