Mayo taxi numbers decline significantly since pandemic

Taxi numbers in Mayo have declined by over 18 percent, according to new figures from the NTA, highlighting stark regional disparities in access to essential transport. 

The figures, which came in response to a recent parliamentary question by Laois-Offaly Independent TD Carol Nolan, show taxi licences decreased in 23 out of 26 counties compared to 2019.

This dramatic drop in available taxis raises concerns for the country's vital hospitality industry and everyday passengers, particularly as tourist numbers are expected to double over the coming months and are already higher than this time last year.

The West has been heavily impacted by taxi shortages in recent years, with licences dropping by almost 9 percent in the same period, which has led to criticism of current SPSV policy by various stakeholders, particularly in hospitality and tourism.  

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, called the decrease in taxi availability a ‘crippling blow to rural Ireland’s hospitality sector’. 

“These businesses often rely on taxis to get customers home safely, especially after dark. With little to no public transport links in rural areas and without a vital taxi service, many people simply won't go out, further squeezing already strained rural businesses. The Government needs to take immediate action to address this issue before it cripples the entire industry entirely,” he continued.

The decline in taxi numbers is attributed to a number of factors, including the fallout from the pandemic, an onerous entry system, and costly barriers for new drivers, such as outlays of up to €59,000 for a vehicle alone.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling on the NTA and the Government to take immediate action to address the shortage of taxis. They propose a 30 percent increase in taxi vehicles by 2027 as a step towards alleviating the impact of driver and vehicle number decrease over the past decade, coupled with Ireland's population growth.

General Manager of Uber Ireland, Kieran Harte, said a ‘reliable and accessible taxi network’ is ‘essential’ for a successful hospitality industry, and local economies.

He added: “Taxis provide a safe and familiar option for visitors to Ireland and serve an invaluable service to people in rural and urban areas alike. We urge the Government and NTA to acknowledge the issue and take concrete steps to improve the supply of licensed, regulated taxi drivers and vehicles.”

The Taxis for Ireland coalition is calling for the removal of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) requirement for newly registered small public service vehicles (SPSV) and a re-assessment of the SPSV Driver Entry Test’s geography-based knowledge requirements. 

The removal of the WAV requirement but the continuation of the WAV grant would mean a larger pool of taxis to choose from, meaning that people that do not need a WAV will not be booking one unnecessarily. 

The coalition states that these measures would alleviate the current burdens facing prospective new drivers and would increase overall supply into the market.

See the full list of figures county by county below.