A taxi driver who allegedly failed to wear his face mask correctly was among the complaints filed to the National Transport Authority (NTA) last year.
There were 378 complaints filed against taxi drivers in the 12 months to November, down from 466 in 2020 and 1,383 in 2019.
Figures released by the NTA show 164 of the complaints were in relation to the conduct, behaviour and identification of a taxi driver.
Some 150 complaints were to do with overcharging and other matters related to the fare. There were 45 complaints regarding the hiring and booking of a taxi and 19 about the condition, roadworthiness and cleanliness of the vehicle.
The NTA noted that a passenger alleged that a taxi driver was wearing his facemask below his chin.
“He was asked to put the mask on correctly and adjusted [the] mask but still not covering his nose,” it said. A formal notification was sent to the driver regarding face covering regulations.
A separate complaint detailed how passengers attempted to enter a car and was asked to pay by card. The passengers were then told there would be a €1.50 surcharge. The driver was cautioned following a subsequent investigation.
Another complaint set out was that a passenger paid €47.50 for a taxi journey but was later told by hotel staff that it should have been no more than €28. An investigation is ongoing.
A separate complaint said that a driver refused to accept a guide dog, claiming that he was “allergic to dogs”. The complaint requested supporting paperwork to prove this. The NTA said a fine was issued to the driver.
There are 18,800 licenced taxis in Ireland, and 25,400 licenced drivers, which prior to the Covid-19 pandemic undertook an estimated 20 million passenger journeys per year.
