FREE NOW is adding a “technology fee” to all taxi trips

The new move comes into play very soon.

With regular reports of an ongoing taxi shortage across Ireland, now seems like the perfect time to announce a price increase, eh? Step forward FREE NOW and an imminent price increase that will apply to all trips booked via the app. The €1 "technology fee" will come into effect from Sunday, 1 August as part of an update to the system's general terms and conditions for passengers. According to an email sent out to customers on Monday afternoon (18 July), the increase will "allow for the introduction of new mobility services such as eBikes and eScooters" provided by mobility partners through the app. The new charge will apply to "all taxi trips booked and successfully completed" via the FREE NOW app. The technology fee is not related to a forthcoming 12% annual taxi fare increase, set to be introduced in September. "These updates will allow us to continue to invest in improving FREE NOW’s technology and app quality," noted a spokesperson. The fee is collected directly by FREE NOW from the passenger who requests and successfully completes a booking via the FREE NOW app, and and may never be added to the taxi meter rate, or collected by drivers. In terms of the aforementioned taxi shortage, which continues to particularly affect people at weekends, a spokesperson said: "We anticipate that while supply issues at peak times will continue to be a challenge, service levels on the FREE NOW app will continue to be the best in the market". More information on the purpose and implementation of the fee can be found here. Featured Imagery via RollingNews.ie / Photocall Ireland /