Agency work

[Theoneandonly]

Various agencies such as Hoppa, Sun transfers, city ride, easy transfers etc use Irish taxi companies and individual drivers to cover work, often long distance/airport transfers, they pay said companies the going rate via credit card/bank transfer, however they charge the passengers extortionate amounts, I once drove a passenger from the airport to Christ church who said they had paid €60 (I'd charged the agency €24)
Question is what is the legal situation here? obviously the passenger is being overcharged, but not by the driver, is the driver still liable?
Is this a method for overcharging passengers (having a middle man acting as an agent)
Many of these agencies exist and have done for a long time (google airport transfer) and select Dublin from the long list of companies providing this service.

[The Liffey Lip]

That's a good question. We have many men here called to the bar, be it The Swallows, The Bridge Tavern or Dicey's, whom, no doubt, will answer you in due course.

[mercenary for hire]

Roy?.....this sounds familiar.

[john m]

You were hired to do the job on the meter and You were paid the meter fare .As the Job probably generated outside the state the NTA have no authority .No offence was committed in this jurisdiction .

[Shallowhal]

If the passenger agrees to pay €60 for the fare...well that's their problem....but for a driver to know that he's getting less than the agency....well that's his problem and if it's his/her only source of income....then they need to get another job!!

[The Liffey Lip]

If the passenger agrees to pay €60 for the fare...well that's their problem....but for a driver to know that he's getting less than the agency....well that's his problem and if it's his/her only source of income....then they need to get another job!!

He did. DJ'ing in Los Homos Eroticas in the Canaries, I'd say.

[Shallowhal]

Ah that place went tits up ages ago!!

[The Liffey Lip]

Loyalty card sale. That explains that.

[Rat Catcher]

Your contract is with the person/entity that pays you.

[Theoneandonly]

So, could anyone could act as an agent. charge a passenger whatever they like and then pay the driver whatever he says the fare is (plus a tip to make up the difference)?

[Vikkiz]

Usually this work entails a meet and greet with the passenger and it covers your parking fee and for 30 minutes of waiting time.

[Rat Catcher]

So, could anyone could act as an agent. charge a passenger whatever they like and then pay the driver whatever he says the fare is (plus a tip to make up the difference)?

I guess the agent needs a DO licence, strictly speaking. Not sure how NTA could pursue those who operate outside of it's geographical jurisdiction. I feel an email coming together!

[Shallowhal]

I feel an email coming together!


I think John is too busy packing his jocks and a few wifebeaters to be constructing an easy to understand e-mail...or so the NTA hopes!!

[Rat Catcher]

He musta got his Christmas 2014 bonus from Hail0/mytaxi...

[Shallowhal]

He musta got his Christmas 2014 bonus from Hail0/mytaxi...

That would hardly pay for the taxi from the airport!!