Taxi availability in Dublin is impacting how often people go out

As many as 6 out of 10 people who socialise regularly in Dublin say knowing it will be difficult to get a taxi home afterwards impacts how often they go out.

That’s according to new research released by the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA). 

The research also showed that 2 in every 3 people (67%) have experienced challenges getting a taxi home after a night out.

This is an issue that has effected men (70%) more than women (60%), while the 35 – 54 age group has encountered this problem the most (71%), followed by 18 – 34 year olds (68%).

Four out of  10 (41%) also say they frequently have difficulty finding a taxi at the end of the night, with a further 35% reporting difficulties about half of the time.

Taxis are also the most commonly used mode of transport after socialising at night.

Almost 2 out of 3 would typically use a taxi to get home (64%), followed by bus (47%), walk (22%), or DART/ train (16%).

More than 4 out of 5 people (82%) are also in favour of being able to access more ride hailing options, like Bolt or Uber, when travelling home after midnight.

Independent market research agency, Red C undertook the research on behalf of the LVA. A total of 510 people who socialise in Dublin at least once per month took part.

“We’ve been saying for some time that there aren’t enough taxis on the streets at closing time,” said Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA.

“That’s been the feedback from publicans from all over Dublin.

“They are hearing it from their customers and they are concerned about the implications this is having on socialising in the capital.

“Well now we have actual numbers that back up that fear. 6 out of 10 people who socialise regularly say their concern about whether they’ll get a taxi home at the end of the night impacts how often they choose to socialise.

“If this is the extent of the problem amongst those who do go out regularly, then imagine how much it is also concerning those who only socialise occasionally?

“Clearly for a city the size and scope of Dublin we do not have enough taxis.

“We are backing calls from both the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Taxis for Ireland Coalition, of which we are a part, to remove key regulatory barriers to the taxi market and for the public to be allowed to use ride hailing apps to help address this situation.

“We should be able to use them in Ireland in the same way as in London and across the EU.

“People deserve to know they can get home safely and quickly at the end of the night.

“With taxis being the most used form of transport at that time, we need to ensure there is a sufficient supply of taxis late at night and that our customers don’t encounter frequent difficulties getting a taxi home as is currently the situation,” Mr. O’Keeffe concluded.