Leitrim's taxi licences drop 18 per cent compared to pre-Covid levels
Fallout from pandemic and costly barriers for new drivers are among the reasons for licence reduction
According to new figures from the NTA, taxi numbers in Leitrim have declined by over 18 per cent, 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 surge in the coming months.
Both urban and rural areas in the Border Region have been heavily impacted by taxi shortages in recent years, with licences dropping by almost 19 per cent in the same period, which has led to criticism of the 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," Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said.
"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," he said.
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 taxi shortage.
They propose a 30 per cent 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," said Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland.
The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling for removing the WAV requirement for newly registered SPSVs and re-assessing 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 who do not need a WAV would not book one unnecessarily.
The Coalition states that these measures would alleviate the current burdens facing prospective new drivers and increase overall supply into the market.