There are calls for all taxis to be equipped with cashless payment options as a matter of public health.

Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer is calling on the National Transport Authority (NTA) to step up its plans to introduce car payments in every cab in the country.

It is nearly one year since the NTA announced an increase in taxi prices – and said drivers should use the money to cover the cost of providing card services.

   

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning Senator Buttimer said it is time to follow through on the plan.

“We are seeing a growing awareness now across the world in terms of the use of a variety of different means of payment,” he said. “It is now a movement.

“I think there is a need now for the NTA to end the process they started and stop using the excuse, in my opinion, of the pandemic and bring this to an end.”

He said a recent survey found that 48% of passengers arriving into Dublin Airport would prefer to pay their fare by card – a figure that rises to 69% for business travellers.

“It’s time to move towards a card payment system, a cashless transaction system in taxis, to give people the option,” he said.

“I think as we move through this pandemic, the more we are seeing people limiting their physical contact in terms of paying cash and using coins,” he said

“This is the next logical step based on what the NTA have been doing.”

You can listen back to the interview here: