Taxi numbers reach ten-year high

The number of licensed taxi, hackney and limousine drivers operating in Ireland has reached its highest level in a decade, according to new figures from the National Transport Authority (NTA).

A total of 27,891 Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) drivers were licensed at the end of 2025, with 1,893 new licences issued during the year.

Research commissioned by the NTA also suggests that taxi availability is improving. More than three-quarters of passengers surveyed said it was easy to get a taxi on their most recent journey, while 34 percent described the experience as “very easy”.

Newer drivers were found to be more likely to work during peak weekend hours, helping to meet demand from customers travelling at night.

The latest SPSV bulletin also recorded an increase in wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Some 519 grants were issued through the NTA’s Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant Scheme during 2025.

By the end of the year, 4,781 wheelchair-accessible vehicles were operating across the country, the highest number recorded to date.

They accounted for 23 percent of the overall SPSV fleet and 26 percent of all taxis and hackneys.

Passenger confidence in the sector remains high, according to the research.

Some 97 percent of passengers said they felt safe while waiting at a taxi rank, while 89 percent felt safe hailing a taxi on the street.

The number of electric vehicles in the sector also increased by 25 percent during 2025, reaching 3,306.

Drivers using fully electric vehicles reported average savings of €95 per week in running costs.

Kevin O’Brien, director of transport regulation at the NTA, said the sector was making significant progress, with record levels of wheelchair accessibility and electric vehicle adoption.

“It is encouraging to see improving taxi availability and high levels of passenger confidence,” he said.

“The NTA is focused on supporting a modern, safe and accessible SPSV sector for all passengers through effective regulation, appropriate enforcement and ongoing engagement with all stakeholders.”