Christmas party season is always one of the busiest times of the year in towns and cities across Ireland - which can cause taxi hell for anyone trying to get in or out.
Luckily taxi app Free Now has shared a list of simple tips to give you the best chance of getting home hassle-free this festive season.
The app's General Manager for UK and Ireland, Alan Fox, said: “2019 has again been marked by a huge increase in demand for taxis through our app that is extremely welcome.
"Our growing capacity to meet this demand is very much a reflection of the significant investment we have made in developing the app for our passengers and drivers.
"Nonetheless, December is traditionally our busiest time of year with people getting in the festive spirit across the country.
"To help our customers get to where they want to be, we are encouraging them to check out our Christmas Travel Tips to enjoy hassle-free travel over what is everyone’s most hectic time of year.”
Here are the nine ways you can boost your chances of getting around quickly and easily this Christmas:
1. Hail early
Got somewhere to be? Leave in plenty of time to get to your destination. Plan ahead by booking your taxi early to beat the crowds to avoid any disappointments.
2. Choose how you pay
Switch your payment method easily before hailing or when in-trip. Your driver can see your payment method on his app too. It’s always important to ask the driver to your check chosen payment when the taxi has been booked on your behalf.
3. Set a Destination
Before you book - Set a destination so drivers know where you're going – it helps them plan ahead and can keep the service running smoothly for everyone.
4. Set a Pickup
Keep your location on point - Tap the GPS icon or set your Pick up before hailing to make sure your location is correct and the driver knows exactly where you will be.
5. Add a Profile Picture
Help your driver pick you out from the crowd this festive period by adding a photo to your FREE NOW profile.
6. Schedule your trip in advance
Eliminate the last-minute scramble and Prebook ahead of time. Easily tick another item off your ‘To do’ list. If the time slot is full, try tweaking it by +/- 5mins to increase your chances of a successful booking.
7. Share the fare with Match
Increase your chances of getting a taxi at peak times over Christmas. You can choose to use the Match feature. When you match with another passenger you will not only get a cheaper fare, you’ll help keep the streets less congested! Don’t forget to wait 5 minutes to increase your chances of matching.
8. Go Cash-free from A to B
Hailing on the street and have no cash on you? No problem, use Pay with FREE NOW to pay with the card registered on your account. Don’t forget to ‘slide to confirm’ the payment at the end of the journey. Read more about Pay with FREE NOW here.
9. Lost Property
If you have left something behind in a FREE NOW taxi, please contact your local Garda Station who can advise you if it has been handed in to any Garda station. If your item was not handed in, then please contact us with your booking reference so that we can help you retrieve your belongings.
