"In a move that will infuriate the taxi industry, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is recommending that all drivers be allowed to use their own cars to provide taxi rides, without needing a special licence. This would mean they would be regulated only for safety and service. However, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said on Thursday that the Government had "no intention" of allowing 'ride-sharing' in Ireland."
"The CCPC says the status quo is holding back innovation in the industry, and means a lack of choice for customers, as well as the prospect of long waits or staying at home because of problems with taxi availability. In other jurisdictions, firms such as Uber operate 'surge pricing' which is based on demand. This means fares can be cheaper than traditional taxis at times, often for shorter trips and off-peak journeys."
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recommends allowing all drivers to use personal cars to provide taxi rides without a special licence, with regulation limited to safety and service. The Transport Minister says the Government will not permit ride-sharing. Uber has operated in Dublin since 2014 but is barred from using private cars for pickups. The CCPC argues the current regime stifles innovation, reduces customer choice and contributes to taxi shortages, citing a survey where four in ten people reported difficulty hailing a cab in December. The National Transport Authority warns that a non‑regulated regime would undermine the regulated system.
Read at Irish Independent
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