EXCLUSIVE: Multiple complaints against Waterford taxi drivers revealed

Multiple complaints regarding Waterford taxi drivers were made to the National Transport Authority (NTA) last year, some of which occurred in the same areas on the same day. 

A freedom of information request into the NTA revealed that a total of 1,713 reports were made to the body in 2024, 15 of which arose from Waterford.

The first complaint came 8 days into the New Year in the bustling city centre where a taxi driver was reported under the category of o vercharging and other matters related to the fare. 

On February 12, 2024, a driver was complained in Ferrybank also for o vercharging and other matters related to the fare. 

Two weeks later on February 26, a third taxi driver was reported. This time under the category of c onduct, behaviour and identification of a driver. This occurred in an undisclosed location in Waterford. 

On March 16 at Crystal Court, a driver was reported due to m atters related to the hiring of a vehicle. 

The next complaint came on May 4 regarding an undisclosed Waterford location where a taxi driver was reported under the category of overcharging and other matters related to the fare. 

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On July 6 in the city centre a driver was reported, once again for matters relating to overcharging and other matters related to the fare. 

Just under two months later on September 2, a taxi driver was complained to the body for overcharging and other matters related to the fare at Plunkett Station and three days later at the taxi rank of City Square Shopping Centre, a complaint was put in against a driver for conduct, behaviour and identification of a driver.

The following week saw a complaint against a taxi driver on John's Street for overcharging and other matters related to the fare. 

Undoubtedly, the NTA were kept busy on September 26 when three reports were lodged, two of which came from the same location and fell under the same category. 

A taxi driver in Ferrybank was reported for matters related to the hiring of a vehicle and two complaints were lodged against drivers at Templars Hall, both for conduct, behaviour and identification of a driver. It is not known if these two reports are related. 

On December 15 in Tramore, a driver was complained to the authority for overcharging and other matters relating to fares. 

The final two complaints of the year in Waterford both came on December 22, where a Manor Street driver was reported under the category of conduct behaviour and identification of an SPSV driver and a second driver received a complaint in Slieverue for matters related to the hiring of a vehicle. 

The exact details and outcomes of these 15 complaints is not yet known.