TARIFFS: Northern Ireland Minister launches public consultation on a 2022 taxi fares review

Image credit: Minister John O’Dowd (Department for Infrastructure)

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has launched a public consultation on a 2022 taxi fares review.

The Department is inviting the public, the taxi industry, both operators and drivers, plus relevant stakeholders, including the Consumer Council, to provide their views on proposals to potentially increase the maximum taxi fare tariff across the North.

It has been said that the Minister wants to support the industry where he can. The impact of the Ukraine war with unprecedented fuel costs and high inflation hitting driver labour and operating costs, plus the decreasing number of drivers, are all having a heavy impact on the industry.

In November 2022 the former infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon handed the industry a 7.6% rise to its tariff in a bid to encourage new drivers to the trade post-covid.

Minister O’Dowd said: “I am very aware of the difficult environment the taxi industry are operating in post the pandemic, with unprecedented fuel costs and high inflation hitting driver labour and operating costs.

“I want to support the industry where I can through their current trading difficulties but I am also mindful that the citizens of the North are in a cost of living crisis. Many are struggling to meet day to day costs and so they may not be in a position to incur any increase to taxi fares. It will be important to balance the needs of workers and the wider public.

“I encourage anyone who has a vested interest to contribute to this consultation process. Once the responses have been analysed my officials will provide a report for my consideration and I will communicate my decision as soon as possible.”