Quicker journeys and lower fares for taxis in Dublin city following launch of transport plan
New FREENOW data shows a 7.7% decrease in taxi ride durations immediately after the transport restrictions came into effect
FREENOW has today (01.11.2024) released data* showing significant improvements in average journey length and acceptance times in Dublin since the introduction of traffic restrictions under the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan.
The new traffic management system, which came into effect on August 25th, restricts private vehicles travelling along the Liffey Quays and O’Connell Bridge during daytime hours, while taxis and other public transport can still pass freely. FREENOW observed a 7.7% decrease in average taxi ride durations immediately after the restrictions came into effect, leading to lower fares for passengers crossing the city. Journeys through the city centre during morning hours (10-11am) were also up to 5 minutes shorter on average compared to the same period in 2023.
There have also been significant decreases in the average acceptance time for taxis booked through the FREENOW app. In the weeks after the transport plan came into effect, taxi journeys were accepted on average 50% faster than the same period in 2023. Taxis also arrived to collect passengers quicker, with data showing taxis arrived to collect passengers up to 12% quicker compared to 2023.
Danny O’Gorman, General Manager for FREENOW Ireland, said: “We are delighted to see such a reduction in traffic congestion in the city centre as a result of the implementation of the Transport Plan. Our data shows a significant reduction in journey times for taxis driving through the city centre since it came into force, meaning passengers are getting where they need to be quicker and more cost-effectively, rather than paying to be stuck in traffic. The restrictions on private cars passing through the city centre allow public transport to operate more efficiently, meaning our driver partners can complete more journeys and accept more bookings during busy times.
“While this is a significant development in supporting public transport infrastructure in the city, we believe more needs to be done to ensure that Government and industry focus on making meaningful improvements in the wider public transport sector, such as the doubling of 24-hour bus routes recommended by the Dublin City Taskforce. Measures like this enable licensed taxi drivers to continue delivering their crucial service, without creating over-reliance on taxis alone.”
ENDS
Note to Editor:
*FREENOW internal data. This data comes from an examination of FREENOW’s internal data, to compare average journey length, Time Until Acceptance, and Time Until Arrival for taxis in Dublin City Centre. The research compared data from the four weeks following the traffic restrictions implemented under the Dublin City Transport Plan on August 25th, 2024.
About FREENOW:
FREENOW is Europe’s multi-mobility app with taxi offering at its core, available in 9 European markets and over 150 cities. FREENOW users can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, PHV, carsharing, car rental, eScooters, eBikes, eMopeds and public transport. FREENOW partners with numerous mobility brands and aggregates their offering with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street. The Germany-based company is backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. FREENOW is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.
Visit our Website for further information and download the FREENOW app for iOS or Android
