UBER FIXED FARES: Why are taxi drivers striking in Dublin at the moment?
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Taxi drivers in Dublin are staging a series of “go-slow” strikes and protests to oppose a new fixed-fare pricing model recently introduced by Uber in Ireland.
According to organisers, the fixed-fare option undermines the regulated fare structure overseen by National Transport Authority (NTA). Under that structure taxi fares are typically calculated by meter, a system that reflects time, distance and real-world traffic conditions. The new model offers riders a capped price up front; if traffic or delays push the metered fare higher, passengers still pay the lower fixed amount. This shift, drivers say, penalises them financially when journeys take longer than expected.
Participants contend that the change has already led to significant drops in income, sometimes by up to a third on congested or delayed trips. Many fear that continued use of fixed fares will eventually erode the viability of traditional taxi work, drastically reducing earnings and undermining the regulated taxi sector.
The dispute also reflects broader tensions over the role of ride-hailing platforms in a regulated SPSV (Small Public Service Vehicle) sector. Around one-third of Irish taxi drivers reportedly source work through Uber.
In response, drivers organised coordinated protests starting late November 2025. These included slow-drive demonstrations across key routes in Dublin, including roads near airports, city-centre streets, and routes to major commuter hubs, leading to heavy delays for commuters, airport travellers and general traffic.
As of now, protest organisers indicate they intend to continue these actions on a regular basis until the fixed-fare scheme is scrapped or regulatory intervention arrives.
