Scottish Private Hire Association calls on Glasgow MSPs to support vital RETENTION of private hire licence cap
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
The Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) has issued a direct appeal to Glasgow’s Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), asking them to intervene in a key local policy decision on private hire and taxi licensing.
In a letter dated 30 May, the SPHA urged MSPs to support the continuation of Glasgow City Council’s current overprovision policies. These rules place limits on the number of taxi and private hire car licences issued in the city. The SPHA said the caps are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry, protecting public safety, and maintaining fair working conditions for drivers.
At present, the Council’s policy limits the number of taxi licences to 1,420 and caps private hire car licences at 3,450. These limits reflect the number of active vehicles currently operating in the city. While taxi licences remain under the cap, the private hire licence figure has reached its maximum. The current review process could see those limits scrapped or altered, depending on the outcome of a public consultation which concluded at the end of May.
The SPHA’s appeal comes in response to that consultation, which the Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee launched to assess availability of vehicles, particularly during late night and peak demand hours. Unlike previous reviews, which included an independent assessment of demand, the 2025 exercise relied solely on public feedback via survey. The Committee is now preparing a report and is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.
The SPHA has argued that any move to lift or raise the cap would negatively affect the trade, particularly smaller independent drivers. It warned that such a step could lead to market saturation, forcing drivers to compete for fewer jobs, work longer hours, and accept reduced income.
In its submission, the SPHA said many drivers are already under pressure due to increasing insurance costs, rising fuel prices and the general cost of living. It said that removing the cap would intensify these challenges, encouraging what it described as a “race to the bottom”, with declining income and deteriorating standards.
The association also raised concerns over public safety. It argued that extended working hours caused by market oversupply would contribute to driver fatigue, increasing risks for passengers and other road users. The SPHA warned that a surge in vehicle numbers could lead to higher congestion and emissions, undermining the city’s environmental objectives.
The SPHA has asked MSPs to write directly to the Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee members, urging them to retain the existing policies with no changes. It also encouraged MSPs to raise the matter in the Scottish Parliament, to highlight the wider implications for public safety, driver welfare, and the integrity of local transport regulation.
The association described the overprovision policy as a vital safeguard that ensures stability in the market and helps maintain professional standards. It reiterated its willingness to work with Glasgow City Council to maintain a viable and regulated private hire system that serves both drivers and the travelling public.
