NTA: Highest no. of taxi drivers in 10 years. Lemmings / cliff?

[watty]

Lemmings jumping off a cliff?

Highest number of taxi drivers recorded in 10 years

The taxi sector is attracting more new drivers with the highest number on record in 10 years.  A total of 1,893 licenses were issued last year bringing the total number to 27,891.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) said the figures, along with their latest research, shows that there is a "strong interest" in joining the sector.

"We see that business is there and people want to chase that business," said Kevin O'Brien, Director of Transport Regulation at the NTA.  He added that there have also been changes to the driver entry test to modernise it.

The authority that oversees public transport has published a "snapshot" of Ireland’s taxi sector, based on its latest Small Public Service Vehicle Bulletin and recent taxi driver and consumer research.  There has been a sharp increase in wheelchair accessible vehicles and in the number of electric cars operating as taxis nationwide. 

It said that overall taxi availability is improving.  "Seventy six percent of consumers said it was easy to get a taxi on their most recent journey, while the number of respondents who described the experience as 'very easy’ increased to 34%."   For wheelchair users that figure stands at 56%.

There are currently 4,781 wheelchair accessible vehicles in operation, which comprises of 23% of the total Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) fleet and 26% of the taxi and hackney fleet.  The NTA Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant Scheme continues to support the growth of an accessible fleet with 519 grants issued last year.  Mr O’Brien said it is encouraging to see improving taxi availability and the high levels of passenger confidence, adding that they are focused on increasing the numbers available to passengers requiring a wheelchair accessible taxi.

Over 1,000 passenger complaints were made last year, with over 50% focused on overcharging.  He said many taxi drivers offered refunds. He said everyone taking a taxi should be aware that there is a maximum amount that can be charged.  The advice for passengers is "to keep a receipt".

The latest research also highlights significant progress in the transition to a more sustainable fleet.  At the end of 2025, there were 3,306 fully electric SPSVs in operation, a 25% increase on the previous year. Drivers reported average savings of €95 per week in running costs when using an electric vehicle.

Passengers also continue to report high levels of safety when using taxi services. A total of 97% of passengers feel safe while waiting at a taxi rank while 89% feel safe hailing a taxi on the street.

The NTA said the findings will help inform the implementation of the SPSV Regulation Action Plan 2026-2028.  As part of the plan, the NTA will launch a series of public consultations later this year including on fleet decarbonisation.

It also said it is continuing to make it simpler for people to provide a taxi service in rural areas.

Re overcharging and 'keep a receipt'.  Ah but the official in-taxi receipt won't show all the tech fees etc that the apps charge on top of the taxi fare!!  The taxi driver probably doesn't know what the passenger is really being charged 

[Taxi driver42]

Fantastic

[Rat Catcher]

Good for anyone wanting out. Someone on here posted about a sibling renting a plate for €5,000/year in used notes. It's not that long since a lot of the drivers' unions were calling for a buyback scheme. Anyone who bought their plate since entry liberalisation would have their investment back with a pretty tidy return within 2 years at that rate.

Of course the men who mortgaged their gaffs to pay proper money for plates before entry liberalisation had no such option.

[Octavia1]

Good for anyone wanting out. Someone on here posted about a sibling renting a plate for €5,000/year in used notes. It's not that long since a lot of the drivers' unions were calling for a buyback scheme. Anyone who bought their plate since entry liberalisation would have their investment back with a pretty tidy return within 2 years at that rate.

Of course the men who mortgaged their gaffs to pay proper money for plates before entry liberalisation had no such option.

Will ya stop bleedin talkin bout 30 yers ago ..... yur like bleedin " reeling in the yers"  ffs ..... thers no point in lookin back .... it doesny even exist in physics

Ther was also lot them who also  got fuked ou ther gaff that they mortgaged  by a devil in a skirt  an her solicitor an ended up in a bedsit ......
Nowadays theyll end up in a tent .... miten be as bad as they tink 

[Rat Catcher]

It's all relevant. The market could never sustain taking in every waif and stray that could lay his hands on 5 large without fares increasing. That might work to a reasonable extent while there's loads of money around but ends in tears when the inevitable recession materialises e.g. the global collapse of 2008.