‘WHOLESALE REFORM’: Ministers urged to fast-track massive taxi and PHV reform plan ahead of King’s Speech
- Perry Richardson
- May 12
- 3 min read
The Urban Transport Group (UTG) has urged the Government to bring forward draft legislation to overhaul the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector as part of the upcoming King’s Speech, warning that existing laws are outdated and failing to reflect modern transport demands.
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of Wednesday’s State Opening of Parliament, the organisation representing transport authorities across the UK said reform of taxi and PHV regulation should be treated as a priority alongside rail, bus and infrastructure changes.
The UTG said: “Taxis and PHVs are an essential part of our local transport networks, and we are keen to ensure that communities benefit from services that allow them to access opportunities in safety and comfort.”
The group welcomed what it described as the Government’s “action and commitment” towards improving taxi and PHV licensing rules, but warned councils and transport authorities still lack the powers and funding needed to manage the sector effectively.
Urban Transport Group calls for draft taxi and private hire legislation as part of wider transport reforms ahead of Parliament’s State Opening
In the letter, Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said local authorities require “the right legislative and proportionate funding arrangements in place to design and deliver a safe and fair taxi and PHV system for passengers and drivers alike”.
The organisation also highlighted the complexity of current taxi and PHV legislation, much of which dates back decades and operates differently across licensing authorities. It called for draft legislation to be published before any formal parliamentary process begins.
Prince wrote: “We recognise this is a complex regulatory landscape with legislation dating back generations, we would therefore ask for legislation on a wholesale reform of the taxi and PHV sector to be brought to parliament in draft form to allow for proper scrutiny and for our members to fully participate in creating a framework that works for their local needs.”
The request places taxi and PHV reform firmly alongside wider transport priorities being pushed ahead of the King’s Speech, including rail devolution, local infrastructure powers and funding reform.
The letter also referenced wider road safety and urban mobility measures which could affect taxi and PHV operations in towns and cities. These include pavement parking enforcement, micromobility regulation and changes to highways management rules.
UTG additionally called for the Government to “fix the local foundations” of transport networks through measures such as allowing non-prescribed zebra crossings and updating street design guidance. The organisation argued that improving local connectivity is critical for integrating walking, cycling, public transport and first-mile or last-mile journeys often supported by taxi and PHV services.
Alongside taxi reform, the group is pressing ministers to strengthen the role of Mayoral Strategic Authorities within the proposed Railways Bill. It wants local leaders to become “central partners in decision making with GBR” rather than simply being consulted.
Prince told the Prime Minister there was now “an opportunity to further unlock the potential of transport to deliver on local and national policy ambitions”.
He added: “These steps will ensure that the benefits of reform are felt by passengers, communities and local economies across the country.”
The Urban Transport Group represents transport authorities serving more than 30 million people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its members include major combined authorities and city region transport bodies responsible for buses, trams, local highways and strategic transport planning.
