Richard Boyd Barrett: Demands Action on Uber's Fixed-Fare Threat
Richard Boyd Barrett addressed taxi drivers' protests over Uber's fixed fare system and urged regulatory action to protect drivers' livelihoods. He asked the Taoiseach to request that the Minister use powers under the Taxi Regulation Act of 2013 to impose regulations on dispatch companies.
Richard Boyd Barrett said taxi drivers in Dublin were protesting for the third time in two weeks and that there was a widespread national protest over Uber's behaviour. He argued the company was undermining nearly 20,000 taxi drivers by introducing a fixed fare system that would threaten the regulated fare structure and drivers' livelihoods.
He cited the Taxi Regulation Act of 2013 and said the Act "clearly gives the Minister the power to impose regulations around the activities of dispatch companies." He asked that the Taoiseach request the Minister to impose such regulations and enforce taxi regulation to prevent the fixed fare system from destroying the industry.
He warned that the fixed fare system would not benefit customers in the long run, noting that, based on Uber's behaviour elsewhere, once a company gains control of a market fares and charges rise and drivers suffer. He said the proposed system would ultimately damage both the industry and consumers.
The Taoiseach acknowledged the issues and said there is a balance between consumer interests and regulation, noting past regulation "didn't work" because of supply and demand imbalances. The Taoiseach said he would look at the matter, speak to the Minister and was already aware of the protests and concerns raised by drivers.
Protest and demand
Richard Boyd Barrett said taxi drivers in Dublin were protesting for the third time in two weeks and that there was a widespread national protest over Uber's behaviour. He argued the company was undermining nearly 20,000 taxi drivers by introducing a fixed fare system that would threaten the regulated fare structure and drivers' livelihoods.
Legal basis cited
He cited the Taxi Regulation Act of 2013 and said the Act "clearly gives the Minister the power to impose regulations around the activities of dispatch companies." He asked that the Taoiseach request the Minister to impose such regulations and enforce taxi regulation to prevent the fixed fare system from destroying the industry.
Market impact concerns
He warned that the fixed fare system would not benefit customers in the long run, noting that, based on Uber's behaviour elsewhere, once a company gains control of a market fares and charges rise and drivers suffer. He said the proposed system would ultimately damage both the industry and consumers.
Government response noted
The Taoiseach acknowledged the issues and said there is a balance between consumer interests and regulation, noting past regulation "didn't work" because of supply and demand imbalances. The Taoiseach said he would look at the matter, speak to the Minister and was already aware of the protests and concerns raised by drivers.
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Transcript
The Taxi Regulation Act of 2013 clearly gives the Minister the power to impose regulations around the activities of dispatch companies. Now today, for the third time in two weeks, taxi drivers in Dublin are protesting and there is a widespread protest against this across the country by taxi drivers over the behaviour of Uber, a multi-million company that is trying to undermine the livelihood of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers by introducing a fixed fare system which will undermine the regulated fare structure and therefore the livelihoods of taxi drivers and ultimately the industry itself. And it won't, in the long run, as is clear from Uber's behaviour elsewhere in the world, won't benefit the customers because once they get hold of a market, fares go up, charges go up and the livelihoods of taxi drivers get smashed. So will you ask the Minister to impose such regulations to prevent Uber destroying the industry and the livelihoods of taxi drivers around this fixed fare system and enforce taxi regulation? Thank you, David. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. David Boyd Barrett. Again, I mean, I have talked to the Minister in terms of the issues that you have raised. There is a balance always between the consumers towards the veiling of taxis and the regulation of same. I mean, we had regulation a long time ago. It didn't work. There was always an imbalance between supply and demand, but I will look at this and I will talk to the Minister in respect. Thank you, Taoiseach. He is fully aware anyway. I am fully aware.