Taxi drivers in Dublin have staged an “app-off” protest in opposition to Uber’s new Taxi Fixed Price feature — claiming it removes their pricing control and could leave them out of pocket during long or diverted journeys.
As first reported by The Journal, over 1,000 Uber-affiliated taxi drivers coordinated the protest to coincide with the Ireland vs Japan rugby match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Drivers switched off the Uber app during the busy event to highlight their discontent with the new fare system.
Uber replaces Dublin’s traditional metered pricing
Until recently, Uber trips in Ireland were operated entirely by licensed metered taxis, meaning fares were set by the official taximeter at the end of each journey. The Uber app displayed an estimated fare, which could rise or fall depending on traffic or route changes — giving drivers more flexibility and control than Uber drivers in the UK, where the company dictates all pricing through the app.
Uber has now introduced a new Taxi Fixed Price option for riders in Dublin. In its official announcement titled Introducing Taxi Fixed Price, Uber said:
“Say goodbye to price ranges and meter anxiety. The price you are shown is the price you can trust. You will not pay more than the price displayed.”
Under the new model, the Uber app shows passengers a maximum fare before the trip begins. If the metered fare ends up lower, passengers pay the lower amount — but if the meter runs higher due to heavy traffic, diversions, or waiting time, the driver must still accept the lower fixed Uber price.
Uber’s policy also states that if passengers change the route, add stops, or alter the journey, the price will be automatically recalculated within the app.
Drivers say the change is unfair
Many Dublin drivers argue the new system shifts all financial risk onto them, especially during major events or traffic congestion.
One driver told The Journal:
“We work as per the meter… I don’t believe workers should essentially work for free when they are stuck in traffic or there is a route issue.”
During the Aviva Stadium protest, drivers went offline simultaneously, causing delays for passengers around Dublin city centre, the Docklands and airport routes.
Taxi unions have warned that Uber’s new approach risks undermining the regulated metered model that has served Ireland’s taxi industry for decades.
Uber defends the update
Uber says the new fixed price aims to improve transparency and trust with riders. According to the company’s official blog, the change “removes surprises at the end of the journey” and ensures passengers “know the maximum they’ll pay before they travel.”
A company spokesperson added that the feature offers “price certainty” while still maintaining strong demand for drivers — a claim many in the trade reject.
For drivers, the concern remains that Uber’s algorithm, not the taximeter, now decides how much their time is worth.
DM News Commentary
Dublin’s taxi system has long been a point of pride for drivers — regulated, metered, and relatively fair. Uber’s fixed price model brings Ireland closer to the UK’s app-controlled pricing, which many British private hire drivers have criticised for reducing income and flexibility.
This protest was a clear warning shot. Unless Uber finds a way to balance passenger transparency with driver fairness, Dublin could see more coordinated “app-off” strikes during major events — proving once again that drivers still hold the keys to the city.
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