Taxi services in Ireland reach new accessibility and sustainability highs

A comprehensive review of Ireland’s taxi sector, published today by the National Transport Authority (NTA), reveals a sector in robust health. The latest Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) Bulletin and recent research, conducted in March 2026, highlight a growing fleet of licensed drivers, wheelchair accessible vehicles and electric vehicles operating nationwide.

Consumer feedback underscores the sector’s progress. A total of 76% of passengers reported finding it easy to secure a taxi on their most recent journey, with 34% describing the experience as ‘very easy’. Safety perceptions also remain strong, with 97% of passengers feeling secure while waiting at taxi ranks and 89% when hailing a taxi on the street.

The NTA’s Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant Scheme has played a pivotal role in expanding accessibility. In 2025, the scheme supported the addition of 519 new accessible vehicles, bringing the total fleet to 4,781—representing 23% of all SPSVs and 26% of taxis and hackneys. The sector’s growth is further evidenced by 1,893 new driver licences issued in 2025, pushing the total number of SPSV drivers to 27,891, the highest in a decade. Newer drivers are increasingly focusing on peak weekend hours, helping to meet demand in Ireland’s nighttime economy.

Sustainability efforts are also gaining momentum. By the end of 2025, there were 3,306 fully electric SPSVs on the road, a 25% increase on the previous year. Drivers operating electric vehicles reported average weekly savings of €95 in running costs. These findings will guide the implementation of the SPSV Regulation Action Plan 2026–2028, which includes a series of public consultations later this year on dispatch operator regulation, advertising standards and fleet decarbonisation.