Galway taxi driver under active investigation after complaint received
The vast majority of incidents that resulted in complaints in Galway this year occurred in the city centre, with 17% reported in relation to taxis in Eyre Square. Nearly 10% related to incidents at Galway Coach Station
More than 100 formal complaints were lodged against taxi and small public service vehicle (SPSV) drivers in Galway over a recent 14-month period including one taxi driver still under active investigation, new figures have revealed.
Disputes relating to fares and overcharging gave rise to the largest proportion of grievances, accounting for more than 49 of the 108 complaints, while issues around drive conduct and behaviour accounted for 32.
Galway was the county with the third-highest number of taxi complaints during the first five months of this year with 41, behind only Dublin with 626 complaints and Cork with 56.
The vast majority of incidents that resulted in complaints in Galway this year occurred in the city centre, with 17% reported in relation to taxis in Eyre Square. Nearly 10% related to incidents at Galway Coach Station.
The hardstand on Bridge Street was referenced in 7% of the complaints, while Cross Street (5%), Salthill (5%), Knocknacarra (5%) were also mentioned in complaints elsewhere.
The figures, which cover the first nine months of 2025 and the first five months of 2026, reveal a shift in passenger grievances this year, with driver conduct overtaking fare disputes as the leading complaint category.
Conduct, behaviour, and identification matters made up nearly half of all complaints in the county, with 19 cases involving drivers acting in a manner perceived to be a nuisance or danger to a person.
Thirteen complaints this year related to fares and overcharging, including six instances where drivers refused to accept cashless payments or lacked a cashless machine. Eight cases concerned the outright refusal of fares or failure to complete a journey.
Three involved overcharging, incorrect extras, or refusal to give change; two involved taximeters not being used or failing to work; and two related to route selection disputes.
Complaints in Galway spiked sharply during the third quarter of 2025, coinciding with the busy summer and Galway Races period, rising to 30 cases compared to 21 in the first quarter and 16 in the second.
Of the 67 resolved cases from 2025, almost one-fifth resulted in immediate fines. Transport officers issued 13 Fixed Payment Notices, including nine for fare offences and two each for hiring matters and driver behaviour.
A further 18 drivers were formally instructed as to their legal rights and responsibilities. However, nearly 45% of complaints did not lead to sanctions, with 19 cases failing to progress and 11 dismissed due to insufficient or incorrect evidence.
Five cases found that no offence had been committed, one remained under active investigation, and none resulted in court prosecutions.
Under current regulatory framework rules enforced jointly by the NTA and An Garda Síochána, on-the-spot fines for driver breaches reach up to €250. Refusing cashless payments or failing to carry an operational terminal attracts an immediate €200 fine, as does failing to display driver identification.
Unreasonable refusal to carry a passenger on journeys under 30km carries a penalty of €150, alongside non-operation of a taximeter, while overcharging attracts a €100 fine.
Nationally, complaints logged with the transport authority rose by 6% from 1,713 in 2024 to 1,815 last year, driven primarily by payment and fare disputes.
The data was released by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act.