Supply of taxis ‘restricted by outdated regulations’

Compiled using data from taxi firm Bolt, the report is published ahead of an Oireachtas committee discussion about taxi supply

Taxi supply fell by almost a quarter, from 25,695 to 19,570, between 2007 and 2023, while the population of Ireland has increased by 16% in the same period, according to the report. Picture: Larry Cummins

Taxi regulations could create thousands of jobs and add millions of euro to the Irish economy, a report by consultancy firm Steer claims.

The report found that “outdated regulation” has led to a chronic shortage in taxi supply which prevents ride-hailing services from operating in the country. creating a difficult environment for new drivers to enter the sector.

The report — Exploring the Economic Impact of Potential Changes to SPSV Regulation — was compiled using data from taxi firm Bolt and was published ahead of an Oireachtas committee discussion about the issue of taxi supply.

Bolt Ireland head of public policy Aisling Dunne said: “Many European countries recognised years ago how app-based technology was changing the taxi sector, providing benefits for cities and the people living in them, but the number of taxi drivers in Ireland remains lower than it was before the 2008 recession.”

In its report, Steer claimed that, in Dublin alone, regulatory changes could create 1,050 to 2,150 jobs and between 850,000 and 1.5m additional trips per year, bringing €32m €58m in gross value added to the economy.

Taxi supply has fallen by almost a quarter between 2007 and 2023, from 25,695 to 19,570, while the population of Ireland has increased by 16% in the same period, according to the report.