Further fuel on the fire this week.
Following a week of heated debate surrounding the overall cost of fuel in Ireland, the National Transport Authority is reportedly considering an increase in the national maximum taxi fare.
The NTA is set to conduct an overall review, which could lead to a rise in the maximum fare in a bid to meet the spiralling cost of inflation.
The last national increase took place in February of 2018.
The taxi fare is reviewed by the NTA every two years, though the latest such review was delayed as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
During the week, the Government announced emergency reductions in excise duty, though reports quickly emerged of stations raising their prices in line with the new cuts.
Circle K Ireland “categorically” denied that a recent increase in its prices of diesel and petrol was related to the Government measures.
Fuels for Ireland, the industry body for fuel suppliers and retailers, has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin complaining that the Government misled the public to believe excise cuts on petrol and diesel would lead to immediate price drops.
In his letter, Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan argued that suggestions that its members were “morally reprehensible” should be clarified or withdrawn.
“These times are made even more challenging when misleading comments find their way into the public domain,” he wrote.
On the potential for a rise in the maximum taxi fare, several drivers spoke to Newstalk this weekend, outlining the struggles that their industry is current facing.
“It’s very slow,” said one driver.
“I think it’s going to be a slow improvement. People are just not back to work and that’s what taxis need – people going A to B and a taxi bringing you there.”
Speaking during the week, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan proposed that road users should slow down in a bid to save money on fuelling their vehicle.
“Everyone knows that the speed of cars affects efficiency,” Ryan said.
“If you go above a certain speed, the costs increase dramatically.
“So one of the ways, and we know this, anyone of a certain age go back to the 70’s can remember it, it isn’t just behavioural changes like that that can actually dramatically lower the use of fuel.”
Featured Image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
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