The shortage of taxis in Dungarvan is having an adverse effect on the town's nighttime economy.
A number of drivers have retired in recent months and it has become increasingly difficult to travel to and from Dungarvan late at night.
Although there are many taxi drivers and Local Link services in place, demands are still not being adequately met.
A local councillor wants the rules for acquiring a taxi license reviewed following increasing problems in acquiring transport late at night and at weekends.
Cllr Damien Geoghegan says the problem is affecting both businesses and the general public in Dungarvan.
He observed that multiple drivers have exited the business for various reasons, including retirement, but there have been little to no replacements.
Cllr. Geoghegan believes the nighttime economy is suffering as a result.
"This is becoming an issue for us here in Dungarvan", Cllr. Geoghegan told WLR. "It's not just in Dungarvan, it has become an issue for a lot of towns of a similar size across the country. The issue is the availability of taxis at weekends and late at night. The taxi drivers that are currently in place, they do an excellent job. We also have the Local Link buses, which do an excellent job as well - transporting people to and from Dungarvan. The reality is that the situation late at night is having an impact on people's ability to visit Dungarvan and to socialise in Dungarvan."
"I've spoken to taxi drivers, taxi drivers and business owners - and they all share the same concern", he outlined. "Drivers are just not being replaced. It's an issue for us here in Dungarvan. We're trying to sell Dungarvan as a place that's good to come to during weekends, a place that's good to come to during the summer - yet people are finding it difficult to get to Dungarvan, and to get home from Dungarvan, because of the shortage of taxis."
Cllr. Geoghegan intends to help find a solution to the matter.
"I've asked that we contact the National Transport Authority - they are the licensing authority, and we must highlight our concerns. We need to negotiate a pathway through it. I don't think it is sustainable in the long-term that we see the numbers dwindling, and then it creates an issue for us. We have a really good nighttime economy here in Dungarvan but we're depending upon people coming here to socialise and visit. It is very much a talking point and has been building up for quite some time."
