Is more always better? Glasgow survey responses reignite debate over taxi and PHV licence limits
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
Glasgow’s recent licensing consultation has sparked a key question for the city’s transport future: should the focus be on increasing the number of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) to reduce fares and waiting times, or should the city continue to cap numbers to protect long-term industry viability?
Over 4,400 people responded to the online survey, most of whom backed the existing policies. Ninety-two per cent supported maintaining the cap on PHV numbers, while 90% said the same for taxis. Respondents generally believed the policies help availability, with 83% saying the PHV limit had a positive effect, and 84% saying the same for taxis.
Some respondents did report occasional problems getting a vehicle, particularly at weekends and late at night. But the majority said they had not experienced any difficulties, and most journeys were being made for night-time leisure on Fridays and Saturdays. This aligns with typical peak demand periods in the city.
The argument for lifting licence caps centres around boosting supply to meet spikes in demand. Those supporting removal of the limits, which included Uber and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, believe increased competition could lower fares and reduce waiting times. They argue that current restrictions are outdated, limit passenger choice and fail to reflect the changing nature of the night-time economy.
However, others, including Glasgow Taxis and Unite the Union, raised serious concerns about the impact of oversaturation. They pointed out that simply increasing the number of drivers does not guarantee more availability during unsocial hours. Instead, it risks diluting earnings across more operators and potentially pushing down standards. There are also concerns that opening the market could damage the structure of the existing fleet, which has been shaped over decades.
Glasgow currently holds a unique position in the UK, being the only local authority to have both a taxi cap and a PHV overprovision policy in place. This gives it more control than other cities, allowing it to balance demand with industry sustainability.
The results of the consultation show strong public support for this approach. While some business groups and platform operators are pushing for deregulation, most respondents said they value the stability and structure that capped numbers bring.
The city’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee has now agreed to an independent review of both policies. This will explore not just supply and demand, but also competition, pricing, safety standards and the ability of the trade to attract new drivers.
At the heart of the debate lies a clear trade-off. More vehicles might improve service during peaks, but could undermine the viability of the trade if introduced without wider reforms. Glasgow now faces a choice: follow other cities down the path of open market supply, or retain its capped model to support a consistent and professional service.
