Technology Fees - Can we charge what we want?

[Rat Catcher]

I decided to ask NTA, as follows:

Hi,

I recently discovered that a particular licensed dispatch operator (Free Now Ireland Ltd, Licence Number DH12510) is applying a surcharge to taxi fares calculated through the operation of a verified taximeter. Briefly, I went to a public house to socialise and bumped into a client who quite aggressively questioned the fare I had charged him for a taxi journey undertaken earlier that evening. Rather than subject you to the kind of language commonly used by working class men in the public bar area of public houses, suffice it to say that my intellect, honesty and parentage were all called into question, as was my propensity to masturbate. During the course of subsequent discussion it transpired that the dispatch firm had added €1.00 under the guise of a “technology fee”.

As far as I recall, the dispatch firm’s Head of Operations and Public Affairs (Fiona Brady) serves as an adviser to NTA through the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles. Hence, I assume the firm has advised NTA to allow it add whatever it wants to taxi fares. However, I would be obliged if you could clarify:

i) that this charge is legal.
ii) whether or not a firm or individual must hold a Dispatch Operator licence to levy such a charge.
ii) whether or not a firm or individual must hold or control a seat on the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles to levy such a charge.
iv) if there is any definitive list of technological devices or methodologies that could give rise to such a charge e.g could use of a satellite navigation device or adjusting a radio receiver at a client’s request qualify as triggers for such a fee.

I note that the recent fare review concluded that no increase to the €2.00 booking fee was appropriate despite the fact that Free Now Ireland Limited (for example) increased the amount it charges drivers for access to bookings by 50% since the previous fare review. Can you further confirm whether or not the advice of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles was considered during the conduct of said fare review.

Regards,

Stephen O'Connell

[Bob Shillin]

I have to say that your wording around "masturbate" could reasonably be taken as an admission of regularly practising onanism, as opposed to the patrons of said public house questioning you, as to whether you do, or don't, indulge in said practice.

I make no judgement whatsoever if, indeed, the practice onanism features largely in your life, but would caution you that the NTA may likely to take your enquiry less seriously when it contains such a reference.

[John m]

I have to say that your wording around "masturbate" could reasonably be taken as an admission of regularly practising onanism, as opposed to the patrons of said public house questioning you, as to whether you do, or don't, indulge in said practice.

I make no judgement whatsoever if, indeed, the practice onanism features largely in your life, but would caution you that the NTA may likely to take your enquiry less seriously when it contains such a reference.

I believe Mr O Connell is modifying the Language and not offering a Ver batum "Here Ya Stupid Robbing Bastard "was possibly the opening Gambit of the Working Class Yob who accosted Mr O Connell as he relaxed after a long arduous shift in his favorite Licensed Public House  and the conversationist  after Mr O Connell offered a Non Ma Accompli ask your App Provider reply to the Questioner was probably referred to as one who enjoys teenage pastimes .I am sure senior Civil Servants with a basic knowledge of English or as smattering of Gaelic will be able to decipher Mr O Connells communique and realize he is moderating his language so as not to offend the sensativities of our outstanding Public Servants .

[silverbullet]

Johnny Onan is a big developer with friends in NAMA and the Planning board allegedly.

[Belker]

I have to say that your wording around "masturbate" could reasonably be taken as an admission of regularly practising onanism, as opposed to the patrons of said public house questioning you, as to whether you do, or don't, indulge in said practice.

I make no judgement whatsoever if, indeed, the practice onanism features largely in your life, but would caution you that the NTA may likely to take your enquiry less seriously when it contains such a reference.

I would have to agree with Harry on this, and also to add as constructive criticism that the last paragraph should have been deleted as it takes away from your very well made original point and will possibly give the NTA something to harp on about rather than address your main point.

Either way the point was well made and fair dinkum fer taking the time to do it.

[Octavia1]

It's obvious from recent whistle blowing headlines that uber hav infiltrated fianna gowl as they hav done around the world wit promises of retirement brass plate honorary on the board post employment well paid job titles an brown envelope....freenow got in way before them obviously aswell an are flouting the law wit a wink an a nod from the nta ...
An birds  planawla , nama , yu name it are all takin the dropsies an corruption is rife ....as is master bation

[Rat Catcher]

Response from NTA:

Case Reference: CA131301

Dear Mr O'Connell,

Thank you for contacting the National Transport Authority (NTA). We refer to your recent correspondence received on the.

After a journey has come to an end, an SPSV operator may not charge more than is calculated on the taximeter. The cost of the journey remains as calculated on the taximeter as the Maximum Fare.

A booking service provider, however, can charge a technology fee to its contracted customers for using its technological platform to book a journey.

It is up to the customer to decide whether they want to use a certain service provider to book an SPSV, with the extra €1 it will cost, when compared to other booking service providers who do not charge this technology fee. The customer may change to another booking service provider without notice simply by no longer using the FreeNow App.

On 25 April 2022, NTA published the proposed Maximum Fares Order, together with the National Maximum Taxi Fare Review and an associated factsheet, on both the NTA (industry) and Transport for Ireland (public facing) websites.

Also on that day, a text message was issued to 17,728 licence holders for whom we have mobile telephone numbers, and an email to 23,775 SPSV licence holders notifying them of the public consultation.

Newspaper advertisements were also placed in the Independent and Examiner newspapers and their online platforms. There was extensive media coverage in the following days.

Representations on the proposed Maximum Fares Order were invited from any interested parties via online form or by post. Email was also accepted.

The period of the consultation was 25th April 2022 to 27th May 2022 inclusive.

The NTA consulted directly with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs, the Legal Metrology Service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland, An Garda Siochána and the Department of Transport.

The Regulatory Consultation Report on National Maximum Taxi Fares can be viewed on our website or on the below link

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Public-ConsultationReport_Maximum-Taxi-Fare-.pdf

For more information, contact the service provider directly.

Yours sincerely,

National Transport Authority

[Rat Catcher]

Anyone interested in setting up a priority service dispatch firm... maybe €30-50 surcharge during periods of high demand with the vast majority of the cash going to drivers in the form of a "bonus"?

[Rat Catcher]

I've asked for a little more clarity on the subject... and where it may take us, as follows:

Hi,

Thank you for your response.

Can you clarify that a booking service provider may charge any amount as a “technology fee” and also whether such a firm could devise other surcharges not necessarily defined as technology fees. In particular, would it be permissible for a group of drivers to form a co-operative society to utilise technology which computes and applies surcharges aimed at striking an equilibrium between supply and demand at any given time in a manner perhaps comparable with “surge pricing” models operated by certain service providers in other jurisdictions?

Your attention to the above is very much appreciated and I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Stephen O’Connell.

[Bob Shillin]

As I mentioned, if all despatch companies decieded to implement a tech charge, then it would be impossible to book a taxi at the legal price. What constitutes "tech", and how much can be charged for it?
 Should we not rock the boat, and let the clients boost FN's profits rather than us?

[Rat Catcher]

Indeed, BS. However, the clear reason firms are able to charge such a fee is simply that the booking fee is too low. With full-timers paying at least 3 times the freight they paid when the fee was last increased it's quite obvious that there is (or was) scope for dispatch firms to increase it themselves for their own benefit. Naturally we should be concerned that the first firm to implement such an increase for it's own benefit is a firm that serves as an adviser to NTA and, presumably, advised NTA not to increase the booking fee. I feel Minister Ryan will need to investigate such influence and dodgy practice in due course.

Furthermore, subject to clarification from NTA, it seems that the National Taximeter Fare set by NTA can be completely undermined in any of a number of ways by dispatch operators licensed by NTA which, again subject to clarification from NTA, leaves the door wide open for surge pricing... perhaps with all excess fees being retaibned by firms such as Free Now Ireland Ltd.

[mercenary for hire]

I've suspected for a while that Uber might be quoting prices higher than the legal metered fare to my UK passengers.Nothing concrete to back it up but the passengers always seem surprised when I call out the price at the end.

If Uber or any other app gets a passenger to agree to €40 on a job but I only charge €30 on the meter have they covered their arse legally?And could they pocket the difference?

[Taxi driver42]

Picked up a Scottish girl on dame St 2 weeks ago going airport
Told me uber were quoted 60 euro dame st to  airport t
Couldn't believe it was less than 30 with me
Gave me 5 er tip but asked for it on receipt as extras

What's uber doing off our backs?

[watty]

Might it be €60 if you could not use bus lanes?

[markmiwurdz]

Picked up a Scottish girl on dame St 2 weeks ago going airport
Told me uber were quoted 60 euro dame st to  airport t
Couldn't believe it was less than 30 with me
Gave me 5 er tip but asked for it on receipt as extras

What's uber doing off our backs?

Robbin cunts,they get away with murder,they charge what they want to the end user.