Taxi numbers fall in Longford over past ten years

Data from the National Transport Authority (NTA) shows that there are less than 19,500 licensed taxis, hackneys, and limousines on Irish roads today, compared to 21,900 ten years ago and 27,429 in 2008.

Jonathan Hehir, MD of Insuremytaxi.ie, explained, “In Longford, there are currently just over 70 taxis in operation down from 90 ten years ago. And yet between 2016 and 2022 alone, the population of the county grew by over 1,500.

“This has a negative knock-on effect on both our hospitality and tourism industry. Being left stranded late at night because of a shortage of taxi drivers, particularly at busy times is not a good selling point.”

The shortage of taxis in rural areas is a perennial problem, particularly in isolated rural areas where the cost of providing taxis is often a major obstacle.

Mr Hehir suggests that a better-resourced rural taxi service could help combat social isolation in rural areas, particularly for the elderly.

He added, “The implications of an underserviced public are wide-ranging – of course, there’s the public safety element for people who cannot get home late at night. Unfortunately, drink-driving is also an issue. Not having a dependable means of transportation home may well entice people to break the rules around drink-driving.

“In addition, for tourists, often their first experience is an hour-long wait for taxis at airports and train stations. This isn’t acceptable. There simply aren’t enough taxis on the roads. We believe our new low-cost insurance will encourage more people to apply for a taxi licence and the Government also needs to take action to alleviate taxi shortages.”