New taxi app set to cause ‘war’ on Galway’s ranks

The new taxi service planned for Galway City will come into operation on the week before the races in Ballybrit – and it’s expected to create war on the ranks.

There is speculation that the new London-based firm may take as much as 10% of the market, resulting in some of the established local firms coming under extreme pressure for survival.

Almost 200 existing taxi drivers are believed to have signed up for the new Hailo service which currently exists in Dublin and Cork.

People with smartphones can download the Hailo app, which will enable them to book a taxi.

With two taps on their phone, they can summon the nearest taxi which will not charge the usual €2 call-out charge, making the service much more competitive.

It will provide very stiff competition for some of the long established taxi firms in the city who will have to offer competitive prices in order to compete in the long term.

It is expected that the new taxi service will be up and running the week before the Galway Races and will take advantage of those visiting punters who already have the company app downloaded.

Gerry Corbett, spokesman for Taxi Drivers Galway, said that it was a new departure for the taxi industry in the city and one that had to be explored.

He said that there was a very strict vetting process for applicants who wished to be part of the Hailo service, which would provide customers with an added confidence.

For more on this story, see the current issue of the Galway City Tribune