A Cavan taxi driver has warned of increased payment evasion due to the 12% rise in fares from today.
Patrick Coyle told Northern Sound, that while the introduction of card payment is positive, fare evasion is at the core of taxi drivers' problems.
He explained how people try to play tricks over paying their fares, particularly at the weekends, and card payments may help to tackle that.
Mr Coyle said the fare increase is needed because the costs of running a taxi has 'gone through the roof' in recent years.
But, he warned, the increase will also bring the worst out in people when it comes to paying their fare.
"At the end of the night people always seem to have a very limited resource when it comes to paying taxies," Mr Coyle continued.
"In my view, a lot of people will argue with you over the fare; they don't want to pay what the fare is.
"So, it's not a matter of whether its a cash payment or card payment.
"It's a matter of what the fare is - that is what they have a problem paying at the end of the night."
