Edinburgh sees steady decline in black taxi numbers as private hire fleet continues grows
- Perry Richardson
- 13 minutes ago
- 1 min read
The number of licensed taxis in Edinburgh has continued to fall while private hire vehicle (PHV) numbers have risen sharply over recent years, new figures show.
In 2018 the city had 1,316 black taxis, matching the permitted maximum. By September 2025 that total had dropped to 1,090, marking a steady decline in traditional cab numbers. Over the same period, PHV licences increased from 2,165 to 3,014, with no numerical limit in place.
City officials say the changing balance reflects shifting market conditions and the greater flexibility of PHVs compared with purpose-built taxis. The private hire sector has adapted to new booking technologies and app-based work, alongside having a greater choice of vehicles available at a more varied cost to the driver.
The taxi trade, which remains capped, has been under pressure from higher vehicle costs and the slow pace of electric transition. Purpose-built electric taxis carry a significantly higher upfront price, which some drivers say makes recruiting and retaining cabbies more difficult.
The council has said it will continue to monitor licence numbers across both sectors to ensure the public can access safe and reliable transport. However, trade representatives across the UK warn that if the trend continues in their respective regions, their cities risk losing part of its distinctive black cab presence, particularly during busy periods and major events.
Their has long been widespread calls for more targeted grants or incentives to support the transition to electric taxis and also to maintain the levels of wheelchair accessible cabs available to each community.
