FAIR FARES AND LESS REFUSALS: How could Devolution Bill reforms reshape taxi and PHV passenger experience across England?
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Passengers using taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) could see notable changes to service consistency, accessibility and pricing protections under proposals linked to the government’s Devolution Bill, which would move licensing powers to larger Local Transport Authorities (LTAs).
At the centre of the reforms is a shift away from fragmented local authority licensing towards broader, more integrated geographic areas. The government argues this better reflects how passengers actually travel, with many routinely crossing borough boundaries for work, leisure and daily activities. Under the current system, licensing rules can vary significantly between neighbouring areas, creating inconsistencies in service standards and passenger protections.
By consolidating licensing at LTA level, the proposals aim to deliver a more uniform passenger experience. Increased consistency in driver standards, vehicle requirements and operator oversight is expected to reduce confusion for passengers travelling across different areas. The reforms also position taxis and PHVs more firmly within wider transport planning, potentially improving how services connect with other modes such as rail, bus and active travel networks.
Safety enforcement is another key area of expected impact. Larger licensing authorities would gain greater powers to monitor and act against non-compliant drivers and operators without relying on cross-border cooperation between councils. This could lead to more effective targeting of unlicensed or uninsured vehicles, improving overall passenger safety and trust in the sector.
Proposed shift to larger licensing areas and LTA control aims to improve consistency, safety and accessibility for passengers
Accessibility outcomes for disabled passengers could also shift significantly under the new framework. While most licensing authorities already recommend or require disability awareness training, not all mandate it. As of April 2024, 67% of authorities required such training for taxi drivers and 65% for PHV drivers. The Government expects LTAs to adopt these requirements more consistently, which could increase the number of drivers equipped to support disabled passengers.
However, the impact on wheelchair accessible vehicle availability remains less certain. In urban areas, some authorities currently require all taxis to be wheelchair accessible, while rural areas tend to rely more on pre-booked services. The move to larger licensing areas covering mixed geographies could prompt policy changes. While guidance suggests authorities should match vehicle supply to demand, there is a risk that blanket accessibility requirements could be diluted, potentially reducing availability in some areas if not carefully managed.
Changes to so-called “compellability” rules may also affect passenger journeys. At present, taxi drivers are only obliged to accept hires within their licensing area, with regulated fares applying only within those boundaries. Under the proposed LTA model, larger licensing areas would expand the zones where drivers must accept fares and where price caps apply.
For passengers, this could mean greater protection against refusals and more journeys covered by regulated fares, particularly for cross-boundary trips that currently fall outside these safeguards. This is likely to benefit those making longer or less commercially attractive journeys, including disabled passengers who rely heavily on taxi services.
The reforms would, however, require LTAs to balance passenger benefits with operational impacts on drivers, who may face obligations to undertake longer trips. Authorities could choose to introduce sub-zones or retain a single-area model, depending on local conditions.
