Taxi Shortage Blamed On "Unrealistic" Wheelchair Vehicle Rules

Thursday, 26 June 2025 15:37

By Martin Osborne

There was a slight improvement in the county in 2024 but driver numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

It's been claimed that a requirement for new taxis to be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) is to blame for a drop in the number of taxis across the county.

New figures from the National Transport Authority show the number of taxi drivers in the county has fallen by 19% since 2019.

There was a slight improvement in the county in 2024 but driver numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

401 licences were issued in 202.

In 2019 the figure was 495.

Nationally, taxi driver numbers have barely moved, and vehicle numbers are down over 4% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition has called the current targets for wheelchair-accessible vehicles - set at €297 million over 25 years - "unrealistic", warning they could further squeeze driver numbers.

The Coalition says the shortage is hitting communities hard, especially with limited public transport alternatives in many areas.

It is calling for the removal of the wheelchair-accessible vehicle requirement for all new taxi licences.

The group says WAV grants should be kept, but only for drivers actually providing accessible services.

They also want the geography test for new drivers modernised, and are pushing for a 30% increase in taxi numbers by 2027.

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