In response to increasing commissions from major taxi app platforms like Uber and Freenow, two Dublin-based alternatives, Tap a Taxi and Hola Taxi, are emerging to empower local drivers. Tap a Taxi, founded by David Knox and others, has quickly signed up about 10% of Dublin's nearly 18,000 drivers by charging a flat fee of €120 per month, while Hola Taxi, with around 1,500 drivers, takes a €1 commission per fare. Both apps prioritize driver ownership, with Tap a Taxi requiring a €300 buy-in, fostering a sense of shared investment. The National Transport Authority (NTA) reported that nearly 90% of Dublin drivers use apps for work, highlighting the dominance of platforms like Freenow and Uber. As these local apps seek to recruit more drivers, they aim to offer fairer earnings and challenge the established players, who have historically benefited from high commissions. The success of these initiatives may depend on changing driver perceptions and regulatory support from the NTA.