Taxi drivers have criticised a new €2 booking charge that Hailo customers now have to pay for hotel bookings.
Some customers who get hotels to book them a taxi now have to pay the charge on top of their normal taxi fare.
In an email to taxi drivers, Hailo stated that some large hotel accounts including The Westbury, Trinity City and Intercontinental Hotels have been charging Hailo for the booking.
Hailo advised that this €2 charge will now be automatically added to customers' bills.
Jim Waldron of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association said his members are concerned that customers will think the driver is charging an excessive fare.
"We are in a position now of collecting money for somebody else. It could cause a lot of confusion".
In a statement, Hailo Ireland said: "Guests of hotels in Dublin who book a taxi through reception with any of the major companies in Ireland are charged the €2 booking charge.
"It has been standard practice for many years before Hailo entered the Irish market for the taxi company to pay a commission to the hotel for sourcing this work. Rental car companies, tour operators etc. pay commissions to hotels similarly.
"Hailo too passes on this booking charge to specific hotel passenger fares but only where it is booked directly by the hotel."
It added: "Hailo is fast becoming the leading hospitality taxi provider in Dublin and across Ireland. Leading hotels all around Ireland are adopting Hailo for their guests. These hotels value the speed, efficiency, quality and accountability that Hailo’s industry leading platform offers."
