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The President of the Irish Taxi Federation is defending approval for MyTaxi drivers to charge an extra €2 as a booking fee.
In the past, MyTaxi had requested drivers to discount this NTA approved fee for their customers.
Joe Heron told Newstalk Breakfast that most drivers have to travel to take a fare and that the €2 fee is to cover that.
Earlier on the programme Tim Arnold, the General Manager of MyTaxi in Ireland, said the company has decided to lift the ban on booking fees in a bid to improve service.
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He pointed out that that there are now fewer taxi drivers than at any time in the last ten years. For every new driver, three leave the business, he said.
“I am confident that this will offer an improved service.”
Mr Heron said he anticipated most drivers will charge the €2 fee. “It is a very small fee for a good service.”
“Most drivers have to travel for a job, that’s what this fee is for. When you tap the MyTaxi App the driver could be a couple of kilometres away from you.”