The Hard Shoulder Taxi drivers to protest Uber’s fixed fares
Nov 25, 2025
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Southwest, joins the conversation on the upcoming protest by taxi drivers against Uber's fixed fare system. He highlights how these fares threaten regulated pricing and the livelihoods of drivers. While Uber's lower prices may temporarily benefit consumers, they risk long-term harm to service availability. Murphy also emphasizes the need for government action and better regulation to protect both drivers and users. The discussion sheds light on the complexities of modern transport issues and public safety.
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Fixed Fares Threaten Regulated Taxi Market
- Uber's fixed fares undercut Ireland's regulated metered pricing and risk creating a race to the bottom for drivers.
- Paul Murphy warns this short-term consumer gain could collapse driver incomes and reduce taxi availability.
Capture-Then-Exploit Business Strategy
- Paul Murphy says Uber captures market share with low initial fares then raises prices via surge once dominance is built.
- That strategy makes drivers dependent and allows the company to later exploit both drivers and passengers.
Driver Boycott As Immediate Response
- Many taxi drivers are choosing to boycott the Uber app and avoid its fixed fares.
- Paul Murphy encourages passengers to also boycott Uber to protect the industry.