2,000 taxi drivers protesting over Uber to bring Dublin to standstill

Thousands of taxi drivers will bring Dublin to a standstill tomorrow during rush hour as protests continue against “predatory” fixed pricing by Uber – with threats of further nationwide disturbances, writes Isabelle Machin. Up to 2,000 taxis will drive down three separate routes in Dublin at 4.30pm, causing disruption for around two hours during peak traffic. Routes include: Causeway Road to Merrion Square; Conyngham Road to Merrion Square; and from the main road outside Dublin Airport into the airport. It marks a second round of protests following demonstrations outside Leinster House last Saturday, with tomorrow’s protests sparked by the reported failure of the Government to meet a talks ultimatum by Monday evening. Up to 2,000 taxis will drive down three separate routes in Dublin at 4.30pm, causing disruption for around two hours during peak traffic. Taxi drivers are livid after Uber launched its fixed taxi price service in Ireland, which means that if the meter goes over this sum, drivers still receive only the fixed price. Uber has said it will reduce “meter anxiety”, while protesters argue the move breaches regulations and “constitutes a predatory commercial practice”.

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