What do you think of the 8% taxi fare hike?

There are approximately 11500 taxicabs in New York City. Dublin, being so much larger than NYC has approximately 12000. I haven't lived in Ireland for more than twenty years, but when I went there in August and took cabs, all I heard from drivers was how their business was finished. In fact, this was a constant and depressing theme of every ride I took, and I'm someone who can distinguish 'taxi chat' from a heartfelt grievance. It seems to me that the way in which taxi licenses are being issued more in the manner of dog licenses there, can only generate competition for which there is simply no market. Twenty years ago, it was difficult to hail a taxi in Dublin. Twenty years on, they're everywhere, and mostly sitting idle in ranks. There will shortly come a time when taxis will again be scarce in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Ballydehob - but for different reasons. A man with kids has to feed his family. If he can't earn a living doing what he does, he'll quit and do something else. Does anyone in government there actually THINK anymore? You'd imagine that by this stage the Celtic Tiger could grasp even the most basic principles of economic imperative.

We all hate price increases, but it is very obvious how the taxi industry has had to face a very large increase in fuel bills. Many taxi drivers are self-employed and have no other means to offset the cost, other than to increase the fares. Perhaps the Gov't could refund the taxi industry some of the large amount in taxes they take-in, as part of the price of fuel that has to be bought.

It's still really hard to get a taxi when there's an international football match on. As someone who gets half a dozen taxis a week, every week, I can certainly say that there is not real competition in the Dublin taxi market. What has started is the beginning of drivers having to work longer hours to make a living. You'll know when the bleating is genuine when drivers nolonger disappear to watch the football in large numbers but stay working because they need the hours. Then, and only then, I'll agree that the rate increase is justified.

If you're not making enough money, get a different job. I see no reason the public should fund this. Taxi driving isn't meant to be a lucrative business. If times are tough, get a different job.

Well I don't use taxis very often for the simple reason that at night after a nightclub or whatever, taxi drivers feel that they can charge whatever they want to. I live 2 miles exactly outside the town and fares have varied so much that I knew I was ripped off. Therefore some drivers are losing business for other honest drivers. The last time my friend asked the driver why he was saying that 12 euro will do when it clearly said 9 euros on the meter. He made up some excuse about adding on charges. Then proceeded to charge the other passenger just 3 euro for a longer trip down the road.. Probably because he copped that we were not as drunk as he figured us to be..