Carlow taxi license holders have a large decrease from 2019 to 2023

Carlow taxi license holders have decreased a dramatic amount from 2019 to 2023. The percentage change from 2019 to 2023 was -13.40%. The year by year change from 2019 to 2022 went from 209 in 2019 to 180 in 2022. And then in 2023 it actually increased by 1 to 181 in 2023.  Then comparing the Carlow figures to the national figures provided by the NTA.

Taxi licence numbers have declined in 23 out of 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland, according to new figures released today, highlighting stark regional disparities in access to essential transport. The figures came in response to a recent parliamentary question by Independent TD Carol Nolan. 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 decrease in taxi licence numbers is felt most keenly in the border region, with a 14.5% decrease in taxi licences. Monaghan is particularly affected, with a 26% decrease in taxi licences compared to 2019. The Midlands-East region excluding Dublin, has also seen a stark decrease compared to 2019 levels, falling by over 17%. Both urban and rural areas have been heavily impacted by taxi shortages in recent years, which has led to criticism of current SPSV policy by various stakeholders, particularly in hospitality and tourism.

“The significant decrease in taxi availability is a crippling blow to rural Ireland’s hospitality sector,” says Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. “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.”

The decline in taxi numbers is attributed to a number of factors, including the fallout from the Covid-19 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% 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.

“A reliable and accessible taxi network is essential for a thriving hospitality industry and local economies,” says Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland. “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 WAV requirement for newly registered SPSVs 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.