New figures show 19 per cent dip in Kildare taxi driver numbers

Newly released figures show that County Kildare has still not recovered its pre-COVID taxi driver numbers.

The figures, which were released yesterday (June 26 last) by the National Transport Authority (NTA), show that Kildare has experienced a 19 per cent (pc) drop since 2019.

This development comes despite Ireland’s population growing by 8.5pc from 2019 to 2024 and inbound tourism numbers rising by 5pc from 2023 to 2024.

According to the findings, the total number of taxi drivers across Ireland has increased by only 1pc, yet actual taxi vehicle numbers operated by drivers have dropped 4.4pc from 2019 to 2025.

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In addition, the data found:

• Border region (Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan) was down by nearly 20pc, "with continued stagnation from 2023 to 2024"
• Connacht dropped 6.3pc from 2019 to 2024, with "little to no improvement" in counties like Leitrim (0pc), Mayo (−1.1pc), and Sligo (0pc) from 2023 to 2024
• Munster experienced slight overall growth (+1.1pc), but declines in four out of six counties (including a 4pc decrease in Cork) "highlights that this growth is significantly concentrated"
• Leinster experienced growth of 3pc from 2019 – 2024; "However, when Dublin is excluded, the province experienced a 14.9pc decline. Despite a small recovery from 2023 to 2024 (+3.05pc), this is insufficient to overcome the broader downward trend"
• Significant taxi decreases were seen in the following counties: Monaghan (down by 28.6pc), Wexford (down by 24.4pc), Longford (down by 20.9pc), Offaly (down by 20.1pc) and Kildare (down by 19pc)

CRISI IS 'BEING HIDDEN BEHIND A MODEST URBAN RECOVERY'

Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and founding member of the Taxis for Ireland Coalition (TIC), maintained that Ireland is still facing "a taxi shortage crisis".

He elaborated: "It’s being hidden behind a modest urban recovery, but the reality in regional areas and at urban peak times is that people are stranded."

"In rural Ireland, hospitality businesses are being devastated. Without taxis, people stay home; the WAV rule is locking out the very drivers we need."

Mr Cummins concluded: "We need a modern, flexible, and inclusive taxi system, as right now, the system works for no one — not the drivers, not the passengers, and not our economy."

The TIC also identified the requirement for new taxis to be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) as the primary barrier to new drivers entering the market.

According to the organisation, WAVs typically cost over €60,000, and grant assistance from the NTA is "highly oversubscribed".

In 2025, the WAV Grant closed within 15 minutes of opening, following similar occurrences in 2024 and 2023. 

The TIC also said: "The NTA acknowledges that converting the entire Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) fleet to WAVs would take approximately 25 years and cost €297 million — an unrealistic target, which fails to target WAVs to WAV users, and conflicts with the government’s electric vehicle goals, given the limited availability of electric or hybrid WAV models."

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Kieran Harte, the head of Uber Ireland, also spoke his mind about the situation.

He said that while the current requirement to allow all new taxi entrants to operate WAVs is "well-intentioned", he stressed his belief that it is "having the opposite of its intended effect".

Mr Harte continued: "It's creating a significant barrier for many would-be drivers who simply cannot afford or access these specialist vehicles.

"As a result, fewer new drivers are entering the industry, and the overall supply of taxis in Ireland is stagnating.

"At the same time, wheelchair users — who this policy is meant to support — are now facing increased competition for accessible vehicles from passengers who do not need them. This has left many wheelchair users waiting longer and struggling to find the service they depend on."

Mr Harte further said that the TIC believes that the WAV grant programme must be protected and enhanced, but with a sharper focus: "Grants should be increased and prioritised for those who are committed to providing accessible service to wheelchair users, rather than being issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

He added: "We need a system that actually improves access for those who need it most, while also allowing more people to join the industry and help meet Ireland's growing transport demand."

CHANGES SOUGHT

Following the release of the latest findings, the TIC is now calling for the following changes to be implemented in the industry:

• To remove the WAV requirement for all newly registered SPSVs
• To retain and refocus the WAV grant, "to serve actual WAV users"
• To modernise the Driver Entry Test, "especially geography-based knowledge tests given the accessibility of modern technology"
• To set a national goal to increase SPSV numbers by 30pc from 2024 levels by 2027
• To develop a national taxi strategy which "addresses rural accessibility, seeks to increase the taxi fleet and analyses night-time supply"

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