Taxi drivers are resisting attempts by Uber to undermine the regulatory regime governing the taxi industry in Ireland and drive down taxi drivers’ incomes.
Richard Boyd Barrett has called for the Government to defend the regulatory regime against Uber and to establish a publicly owned, not-for-profit app operated by the NTA, mandated to protect taxi drivers’ incomes and to protect customers against surge pricing. Richard joined thousands of taxi drivers as they protested in Dublin on Saturday and he will join them when they protest in Dublin again on Thursday this week.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD said “In the Dáil this afternoon I asked Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, about Uber’s attempts to undermine the regulated taxi industry and the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers. I asked the Minister to ensure the Government enforces its own regulations, and amend them, if necessary, to protect the livelihoods of taxi drivers and to prevent Uber undermining the industry.
“It’s clear that Uber’s goal is to minimise payments to taxi drivers and maximise what they charge taxi customers. If successful that will be a win for the Uber corporation, but a very damaging lose-lose for taxi drivers and customers. The Government cannot allow this.
“The taxi drivers are also asking for the replacement of Uber through a publicly owned, not for profit taxi app operated by the NTA. The NTA already have alot of the necessary taxi driver data required to populate and operate such an app. A publicly owned app would be a win-win-win through earning commission for the exchequer; through protecting the regulated taxi industry and the livelihood of taxi drivers; and through protecting customers against ripoff ‘surge’ pricing that Uber and others will unleash if they get their way.
“In other jurisdictions, the deregulation now being pushed here by Uber has resulted in commissions increasing from around 10% to as high as 60%, devastating taxi driver income while taxi prices to customers are driven higher. That’s why I joined with thousands of protesting taxi drivers on Saturday in Merrion Square and I will join them again on Thursday when they meet at 4.30pm three different locations in Dublin and converge on Merrion Square.
"The Government must act now to protect taxi drivers and their customers”.