Taxi drivers to block O’Connell St in protest escalation

Hundreds of taxi drivers are planning to block O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre this afternoon in an escalation of their protest against a new fare structure.

The drivers, who are mainly based in Dublin, went on strike at 6am today in their latest demonstration against the reforms.

They were due to resume work at 1pm, but have decided instead to block O'Connell Street to highlight their anger.

The move follows talks between their unions and the Taxi Regulator at which the regulator refused to back down on the introduction of the new fare structure on September 25.

There were angry scenes at a mass meeting in the Phoenix Park when union representatives informed some 800 drivers that nothing new was put forward at the meeting.

Today’s strike is the fourth to be arranged in opposition to the new fare structure, which will lead to the abolition of luggage charges and the special pick-up charge at Dublin Airport.