INDUSTRY UPDATES FOR DRIVERS
Dear Driver Partners
As the new General Manager of FREENOW Ireland, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I’m really looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible, hearing your thoughts and feedback, and working closely with you to improve the service we offer. Together, we can drive positive changes that benefit both drivers and passengers.
You may have seen The Taxis for Ireland Coalition, whose members include Uber and Bolt, have been pushing for the deregulation of the Taxi trade to allow for a significant growth of new drivers. This constant focus on deregulating the market and significantly increasing the number of taxi drivers, will ultimately decrease the number of jobs and taxi drivers' earnings. Selective examples from countries like New Zealand are being used without mention of what happened once driver numbers exploded - commissions increasing significantly.
The biggest threat to supply today is the unresolved VAT liability that hangs over thousands of drivers across the country, which hasn’t yet been addressed. The NTA figures show that new entrants to the industry are increasing at the highest rate in 10 years, and the pace is accelerating. A recent passenger survey revealed that 92% of passengers find it very easy/easy to book a taxi except at peak times.
I have full faith in our colleagues at the NTA and on the Taxi Advisory Committee maintaining Ireland's regulatory standards. However, it’s important to remain vigilant and united to defend the service provided by thousands of taxi drivers across Ireland, and ensure measures are put in place to address these very specific challenges.
I will personally meet with various taxi representatives to discuss this matter, especially as we approach the election. We are committed to consulting with you — our driver partners — every step of the way. Your voice matters, and I urge you to share your initial thoughts in the survey below.
Take survey
Thank you for your continued dedication and for being such an integral part of the FREENOW community. I’m eager to work alongside you to ensure we protect and improve the livelihoods of all taxi drivers in Ireland. Let’s continue to support one another as we navigate these challenges and build a brighter future for our industry.
I look forward to hearing your feedback and meeting you in person soon.
Best regards,
DOG