Athlone taxi drivers stage protest over Uber’s new fixed-fare policy
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Members of the Athlone Taxi Drivers Alliance hosted a slow-drive protest in Athlone on Wednesday, December 3, as part of a campaign of opposition to Uber’s fixed-fare system.
On November 3, Uber announced a new feature called "Taxi Fixed Price." This lets customers know the maximum fare they’ll pay before booking a trip, with Uber saying it’s part of their effort to be more transparent and give people a smoother, more predictable experience.
They also explain that upfront pricing (knowing the cost before the ride starts) is a key part of their service, helping passengers feel confident and encouraged to take more trips, while drivers benefit from more consistent fares.
Taxi drivers are arguing that Uber’s fixed-fare policy reduces driver income and will ultimately lead to fewer professional drivers in the industry.
They say fixed fares will mean that when a car is delayed by traffic or forced to take an alternative route, they lose out, substantially in some cases. They feel that they should be allowed to increase the price during busy hours.
Uber's website says that "Under Irish regulations governing agreed fares, riders must always be charged the lower of the agreed fixed price or the meter fare."
The Taxi Drivers Alliance said that the model is inconsistent with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and harmful to both drivers and passengers. They noted they are not seeking Uber’s removal from the Irish market, but are calling for what they describe as “fairness, compliance, and equal regulation for all operators”.
According to the alliance, Ireland’s taxi industry is “the envy of the world,” with all drivers Garda-vetted, tax-compliant and required to pass a rigorous entry exam before receiving a licence. Vehicles must undergo annual NCT testing, and strict age limits apply: standard taxis must be under 10 years old, while wheelchair-accessible taxis may operate for up to 15 years due to their significantly higher cost, often €35,000 or more to put on the road.
Drivers noted that some vehicles older than 10 years remain in service because the national taxi fleet has shrunk in recent years, a trend they attribute to rising operating costs and what they describe as increased incidents of violence against drivers.
Derek O’Keeffe, National Spokesperson for Taxi Drivers Ireland, said the situation has left the taxi industry feeling ignored and frustrated.
“The Government has chosen silence instead of responsibility. We have played by the rules. We have protested peacefully. We have asked to be heard. Nothing has changed. So now the Irish taxi industry is going up a gear,” he said.
“This is what happens when working people are left with no voice. We are not doing this lightly. We are doing it because we are being forced to. We do not want protests, we want to work.
"But we will not quietly accept the destruction of our livelihoods. This is the beginning of a national reckoning for an industry that refuses to disappear quietly.”
Drivers are asking the public to support licensed taxis and to oppose what they call an “illegal and unsustainable fare system” that they believe could damage the availability and quality of taxi services in Ireland.