REVEALED: Taxi numbers fall, with insurance costs likely to blame
TAXI NUMBERS have fallen nationwide in the last 10 years, with increasing insurance costs likely to blame.
According to insurance company Insuremytaxi.ie, Ireland is experiencing a taxi shortage across the country with running costs proving a ‘challenge’.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) data shows that there are 19,571 licensed taxis on Irish roads as of August 31, compared to 21,900 ten years ago.
Jonathan Hehir, MD of Insuremytaxi.ie said that the cheaper premiums will attract greater numbers to the taxi industry, which in turn, would bridge the gap between demand and supply.
“High insurance costs have contributed to the fact that many drivers have left the business and have acted as a disincentive for new drivers to come in,” Mr Hehir said.
“This has a negative knock-on effect on both our hospitality and tourism industry. Being left stranded late at night because of a shortage of taxi drivers, particularly at busy times like Christmas or after concerts or festivals, is not a good selling point.”
Continuing on by saying that there is “simply not enough taxis on the road”, and that it “isn’t acceptable”, Mr Hehir said: “The implications of an underserviced public are wide-ranging: of course, there’s the public safety element for people who cannot get home late at night, and drink-driving is also an issue.”
There are now calls on the Government to provide more incentives for young people to enter the taxi business and to address the high insurance costs they often face, as 23% of all taxi drivers are over 66 and 15% are over 70.
“The Government needs more young blood in the taxi sector if it wants this country to have a sustainable and well-resourced taxi service. Otherwise, the taxi shortages currently being experienced by so many will only get worse,” Mr Hehir concluded.