Taxi charges in festive season

Can taxis charge higher fares over Christmas and New Year?

Yes, taxis can charge more on certain days over Christmas. There are three different rates under the National Maximum Taxi Fare; the standard rate, the premium rate and the special premium rate.

The standard rate applies from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The premium rate applies at night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and on Sundays and public holidays. And the special premium rate applies between 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 8 a.m. on St. Stephen’s Day and between 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The rates are lowest at the standard rate and most expensive at the special premium rate. So, taxis can charge more when the special premium rate applies over Christmas.

The National Maximum Taxi Fare consists of 3 separate parts: • Initial charge: amount which appears on the meter at the beginning of the journey. This is €3.80 at the standard rate and €4.20 at the premium rates. It includes an initial distance of 500m, or 85 seconds.

Further travel: after the distance/time included in the initial charge has been exceeded, further travel is calculated on small portions of the journey. At low speeds, or when a taxi is stationary, the fare is calculated on the basis of time. The charges for further travel differ depending on what rate applies when you are travelling. The charges are lowest at the standard rate and most expensive at the special premium rate.

Extra charge: there are strict rules about extra charges, including a booking fee, additional passenger charges and a soiling charge.

You can ask for a discount before engaging a taxi. Drivers have the right to charge the maximum amount calculated on the meter, • •