Consumers face taxi fare hike in 2015

The public is facing its first hike in taxi fares since 2008 after one of the main driver representative bodies said it was in favour of the proposed price increase.

A public consultation on the proposals is under way and will close on December 9, with the National Transport Authority outlining a possible 4% increase.

Under the new minimum fare structure, the main changes would see a cut of the initial standard charge from €4.10 to €3.60, but a rise in the tariff per kilometre travelled from €1.03 to €1.10.

That applies to fares between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, while hikes applying to the premium rate between 8pm and 8am are of similar proportions.

The special rate for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day would also be dropped under the proposals.

A spokesperson for the NTA said of the proposals that “the conversation is ongoing”, adding that the Taxi Representative Council was party to the discussions.

Once the consultation process comes to an end, the various submissions will be considered and the board of the NTA will then make the final decision.

Jerry Brennan of the National Irish Taxi Association said he expected the fare rises would be introduced in the early part of next year and that taxi drivers were broadly in favour.

The current fare structure — the first time a national structure was put in place — was introduced in 2006 and has been reviewed every two years since.

The current level of fares have been in place since the first review in 2008 and taxi drivers rebuffed recommendations for fare increases in 2010 and 2012.

“The economy is picking up slowly but steadily,” said Mr Brennan.

“Drivers feel now that, yes, it is time to redress the balance.”

Of the likelihood of increases being introduced, he said: “I think it will and I think it should.” He added that, since the last time taxi fares were increased, both bus and rail fares have risen on a number of occasions.