Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an exception to the price increase by the NTA will be made for rural taxis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including maximum taxi fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

The National Maximum Taxi Fare structure is a pre-established and verified charging system, and this provides transparency and certainty regarding the calculation of fares. This is intended to achieve protection for consumers in relation to pricing and to ensure equity between the travelling public and drivers. This transparent process also gives certainty to drivers, enabling them to make business decisions.

The NTA carries out maximum fares reviews approximately every two years, to assess any adjustments in changes in the operating costs and market environment facing the taxi industry. The 9% increase in fares was introduced by the NTA in December 2024, following a public consultation, and ensures that taxi fares continue to reflect the rising costs associated with operating a taxi in Ireland. The National Maximum Taxi Fare is programmed into the taximeter that must be installed in all taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis. Taxi customers are entitled to have the fare for their entire journey calculated and charged on the taximeter, and the fare calculated in this way is the maximum fare that the driver can charge for any journey. This is the case even where the fare for a journey has been agreed in advance. A taxi driver may charge the pre-agreed fare only if it is less than the fare calculated on the meter.

Given the NTA's responsibilities in this area, I have referred your question to them for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.