Taxi passengers must have cash free payment options – Buttimer

Taxi passengers need to be provided with cashless payment options in all taxis as a matter of public health, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer said almost a year ago, the National Transport Authority acknowledged that their drivers will be obliged to accept card payments.

“This has still not been rolled out. Why the delay?

“It should have occurred before a worldwide pandemic hit which made us all acutely conscious about our health and contact points and the use of hard cash.

“I have subsequently learned that the consultation process overseen by the NTA regarding cashless facilities in taxis has not completed due to Covid-19. It is time to move on. We cannot wait around for the virus to go away and have to learn to live with it in our working and personal lives.

“It was also confirmed that the consultation for the introduction of a 5pc fare increase had been completed but due to the coronavirus, the increase has been postponed.

“That is a good reasoned response but the NTA need to explain if both consultation periods happened at the same time as was originally planned and if so, why are we still waiting on the card payment facility in Irish taxis.
Senator Buttimer is Fine Gael’s Transport spokesman in the Seanad.

“Since March, we have all seen the rise in the use of debit cards with fewer people choosing to use cash for fear of becoming ill.

“It is a natural reaction from a lot of people and they should be afforded every appropriate measure,” Senator Buttimer said.

“By providing a cashless facility in our taxis for passengers, I have no doubt it will increase consumer confidence at a time when we need as much investment as possible in the Irish economy. Let’s get on with it,” he added.