The popular taxi app has added a technology fee.
Free Now has been accused of price gouging after announcing an extra euro charge for taxi trips.
The 'technology fee' will apply to those who use the app from the start of next month.
The company says it's to improve the quality of the service.
It's also to allow the introduction of new mobility services such as electric bikes and scooters.
FreeNow is adding a €1 "technology fee" to all bookings from August, presumably on top of the €2 booking fee. This means the meter will read €7.20 on weekends and evenings before you even get in the cab. And if there are three people with you it will read €10.20.
— Ben Haugh (@BenHaugh) July 18, 2022
Jim Waldron from the National Private Hire and Taxi Association says it's a money grab.
"In other companies like the tech companies, like Free Now, they have what's known as price surging," he said.
"The bigger it gets, the more expensive the taxi is going to be."
"It's a one euro extra on top of the twelve per cent increase they're going to get."
"It's not going into the taxi driver's pocket."
