- Freenow by Lyft hosted a roundtable on Dublin’s taxi industry.
- Organisations represented included Vision Ireland and Irish Guide Dogs.
- Wheelchair-accessible vehicles account for 28pc of the national fleet.
- Topics included accessibility, night-time economy and safety.
- The roundtable builds on a 2025 report on taxi industry growth.
Freenow by Lyft has hosted a roundtable event in Dublin bringing advocacy groups together to discuss challenges facing passengers, drivers and communities. Accessibility, gaps in late-night transport and the safety of passengers and drivers were central to the discussion. Organisations represented included Vision Ireland, Irish Guide Dogs, Friends of the Elderly, the Irish Network Against Racism and the Immigrant Council of Ireland alongside taxi industry representatives.
The roundtable builds on findings of Freenow by Lyft’s 2025 report Supporting the Long-Term Growth of the Taxi Industry in Ireland which called for action to safeguard drivers and address late-night transport challenges. Participants highlighted the importance of taxi services meeting the needs of all passengers including people who are blind or vision impaired, guide dog users and wheelchair users. While wheelchair-accessible vehicles now account for 28pc of the national fleet the discussion identified opportunities to improve availability, suitability and affordability.
The roundtable recognised the role taxis play in supporting the night-time economy particularly where late-night public transport is limited. Safety was discussed from both passenger and driver perspectives with emphasis on safe public spaces, support for drivers working late at night and tackling racism. Participants highlighted the importance of timely Garda support and effective reporting and recording of racist incidents.
Danny O’Gorman shared “Taxis are an essential part of Ireland’s transport network, and the experiences shared at this roundtable show how closely they are connected to wider questions about street design, public transport provision and public safety.”
