Lack of rural taxis in Tipperary sparks call for national strategy

Action must be taken to ensure the taxi industry can grow, particularly in rural areas, a Tipperary TD has said.

Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy, Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, said a National Taxi Strategy should be developed to address key issues in the sector.

“During Transport Committee hearings, we have heard extensive evidence on taxi availability, accessibility, rural coverage, passenger experience and driver income sustainability.

“When people cannot get a taxi, it affects their access to work, healthcare, education, tourism and socialising. That problem is particularly felt at night, in rural Ireland, and by people with disabilities. We need to support more drivers to enter and remain in the sector, maintain high safety standards, and ensure passengers can trust what they are being charged.”

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Deputy Murphy said a National Taxi Strategy should focus on improved availability at peak times and in rural Ireland, stronger accessibility in practice, and a fair and transparent framework for drivers and passengers.

“Any strategy must look at supply, licensing, pricing, and long-term sustainability of the sector. A national strategy that ensures more availability and reliability will benefit drivers and passengers alike. We need to hear directly from stakeholders about how more drivers can be encouraged into the sector.

“Reliability, safety, accessibility and transparency must be at the heart of any action taken,” Deputy Murphy said, adding that he will continue its work with the NTA, the Minister for Transport and key stakeholders, to get a National Taxi Strategy in place.

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The issue is felt in villages such as Ardfinnan, where locals say there has been no taxi driver based in the area for several years. While residents acknowledge the presence of a strong Ring a Link bus service, they say it does not operate late in the evenings or at weekends.

Speaking to The Nationalist, Tommy Myles of Myles Family Butchers said the lack of transport options has a significant impact on social life in the village.

“There’s no taxis here, but there is a bus service,” he said. “If people want to go to the pictures or to a disco in Clonmel or somewhere else, they can’t really do that replying on transport. That part of socialising is lacking completely in the village.”