KEEP A CAP ON IT: Glasgow taxi drivers demand cap on private hire licences remains in place
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Taxi drivers and campaigners are calling on Glasgow City Council to maintain the current cap on private hire vehicle (PHV) licences, warning that lifting it could undermine safety, job security and accessibility across the city.
The petition, led by Unite Scotland’s Glasgow Cab Section, targets the Licensing and Regulatory Committee. The petition demands the existing cap of 3,450 PHV licences remains, arguing that increasing the number would lead to a drop in industry standards and harm the livelihoods of licensed drivers.
Campaigners argue there is no firm evidence that lifting the cap would improve the city’s transport service. Instead, they warn it could trigger a flood of vehicles that are often not wheelchair-accessible, while adding to congestion and pollution.
Glasgow’s hackney taxi fleet remains fully wheelchair-accessible, something not mirrored in the PHV sector. Unite says a cap is vital to ensure disabled passengers can continue to access reliable transport.
The group highlights that over 200 hackney taxi plates were available as of April 2025, suggesting that there is spare capacity in the sector. Rather than increasing PHV numbers, the union says the council should focus on making it easier for new drivers to enter the licensed taxi trade.
Unite also raised concerns over the role of app-based operators like Uber. The group said such companies do not operate as public transport providers, don’t own vehicles, and often seek to bypass local licensing rules. They warned the council not to allow shareholder-led platforms to shape the future of transport in Glasgow.
Nearly 400 signatures are already secured. They are urging the committee, including councillors Alex Wilson and Sean Ferguson, to prioritise a transport system that remains safe, fair and accessible.
Why are other cabbies calling for their licensing authorities to introduce caps in their regions?
Taxi drivers in several UK cities are urging local authorities to introduce caps on private hire vehicle (PHV) licences, citing concerns over market saturation, declining earnings, and compromised service standards.
In Edinburgh, a petition led by black cab driver Keith Auld has garnered hundreds of signatures, calling on the city council to cap the number of PHVs. Auld describes the current situation as “like the wild west”. He claims that the number of PHVs in Edinburgh has surged in recent years, leading to increased competition and reduced earnings for drivers.
London faces similar challenges, with both taxi and private hire representatives calling for a cap on PHV licences. The union argues that the absence of a cap has led to an oversupply of drivers, resulting in falling earnings and increased congestion.
In Greater Manchester, Mayor Andy Burnham has called for reforms to the taxi licensing system, highlighting that nearly half of the region’s private hire vehicles are licensed outside its ten councils. Burnham advocates for more local control over licensing to ensure public safety and trust in taxis as an essential part of the transport system.
Industry representatives continue to argue that caps on PHV licences are needed to maintain a balanced market, protect driver livelihoods, and ensure high service standards. They believe that without such measures, the industry risks becoming unsustainable, with negative impacts on both drivers and passengers.
