National Transport Authority

Concern over Westmeath’s “sharp decline” in taxi availability

National Transport Authority

Published: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 11:00 AM

Taxi availability in Westmeath remains in sharp decline despite rising tourism and population levels, as new National Transport Authority (NTA) figures reveal a 12% drop in driver numbers since 2019 — echoing deeper problems across the midlands.

The latest statistics, released following a parliamentary question by Deputy Louis O’Hara, show that while Westmeath recorded a modest recovery from 2023 to 2024 (+5.8%), the county is still down nearly 12% in active taxi drivers compared to pre-COVID figures. It highlights a growing strain on regional transport as demand surges and supply stagnates.

By comparison, neighbouring counties Offaly and Longford are faring even worse. Offaly saw a 20.1% drop in driver numbers from 2019 to 2024, while Longford’s figures fell by 20.9% over the same period. In contrast, Meath experienced a 15% overall decline — less severe but still notable — although it posted a modest 3.5% recovery from 2023 to 2024.

Midlands mobility hit hardest

The NTA figures show the issue is not isolated. When Dublin is excluded, the wider Leinster region has seen a 14.9% fall in active taxi drivers since 2019, with many counties showing little to no recovery even in the past year.

Despite national population growth of 8.5% and a 5% increase in inbound tourism from 2023 to 2024, regional taxi supply continues to lag significantly. Westmeath’s tourism and hospitality sectors are among those affected, with stakeholders warning that the lack of taxi availability is undermining local economies.

‘Crisis hidden behind urban recovery’

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and founding member of the Taxis for Ireland Coalition, says the ongoing shortage is being “hidden behind a modest urban recovery.”

“In rural Ireland, hospitality businesses are being devastated. Without taxis, people stay home,” he said. “We need a modern, flexible, and inclusive taxi system. Right now, the system works for no one — not the drivers, not the passengers, and not our economy.”

The Coalition is calling for urgent reforms to the rules governing entry into the taxi industry, particularly around the mandatory use of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) for new drivers. These vehicles can cost over €60,000 and grant assistance from the NTA is limited and oversubscribed — closing within minutes each year.

“The current requirement for all new taxi entrants to operate WAVs, while well-intentioned, is having the opposite of its intended effect,” said Kieran Harte, Head of Uber Ireland. “It’s locking out the very drivers we need, while not meaningfully improving service access for wheelchair users.”