Uber's Irish Future Is Looking Very Grim After New Ruling

Uber will not be allowed to use private cars for its Irish operation, following a ruling by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Many of us who have travelled to the likes of the United States will be well aware how handy and cheap booking a ride via the Uber app can be but the company will only be allowed use proper taxis or limousines in Ireland, after the NTA decided their model was 'undesirable'.

The NTA is of the view that 'operating parallel regulated and non regulated regimes would undermine the regulated transport system,' and it is not legal to operate unlicensed ride sharing. Uber had been hoping to run a pilot scheme in Limerick but this was ruled out by the NTA, who said:

Notwithstanding the above legislative position, it should be stated that the NTA is unsupportive of this proposal. Operating parallel regulated and non regulated regimes, even on a pilot basis is undesirable in our view and can only serve to undermine the regulated transport system ... the issue of unfair competition arises. This is not an approach which could be supported by the NTA.

The San Francisco company say 'We are still in conversations with the Government about innovating in the sector,' but it doesn't look like we'll be getting the normal Uber service any time in the near future.