High time for card payments for taxis – Rock

It is high time credit and debit card payments were made available to passengers in all taxis, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Dublin North-West TD Noel Rock said it is astonishing that those travelling in Dublin and around the country must use cash to pay for some taxis.

“When you arrive into any Irish airport, the first thing you’ll hear from plenty of taxi drivers is they can only take cash and not card payments. In this day and age, it is simply not acceptable anymore,” Deputy Rock said.

“It doesn’t leave a decent first impression with tourists visiting the country and is simply not good for business in any sense. It is a normal practice in plenty of other cities for card payments to be available in taxis. At a time when we are attempting to attract business and investment to Ireland in an extremely competitive international market, it is a no brainer.

“Also, it would be far safer for taxi drivers if they are not carrying wads of cash around with them – especially during the holidays or peak busy times.

“The National Transport Authority (NTA) need to step in here and ensure this situation is soon brought to an end and that credit and debit cards can be used when paying taxi fares.

“Plenty of taxi customers do have the option to pay through some mobile phone apps when booking taxis but it should be open to all when getting a taxi at an airport or from a city centre rank to be able to tap and pay with their debit or credit card,” Deputy Rock added.

“People are more and more moving towards a cashless society. Leap cards have made public transport use far more efficient with commuters who are able to pre-load their Leap cards and use Dublin Bus, DART and the Luas in an easy manner.

“The same courtesy for taxi passengers to use their bank cards needs to be extended to all as soon as possible,” Deputy Rock said.