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TaxiPoint Magazine Edition 89 launches with latest trade data, licensing debate and enforcement news
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
TaxiPoint has launched Edition 89 of its monthly digital magazine, with the September issue led by new figures showing a widening divide between England’s taxi and private hire vehicle sectors.
The 44-page edition examines the latest Department for Transport data, which records approximately 342,300 licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in England as of 1 April 2026. While the overall fleet increased by 9% over two years, private hire vehicle numbers rose 13% to 290,000 and taxi numbers fell 7% to 52,300. PHVs now account for almost 85% of licensed vehicles.
Accessibility forms a major part of the analysis. TaxiPoint reports that only around 34,500 taxis and PHVs were wheelchair accessible, representing 10% of the combined fleet. Around 54% of taxis were wheelchair accessible compared with just 2% of PHVs, raising questions over accessible transport provision as the traditional taxi fleet continues to contract.
The magazine also examines cross-border licensing and the substantial differences in vehicle numbers between licensing authorities. Wolverhampton had 37,967 licensed PHVs, representing around 13.1% of England’s entire private hire fleet. The feature considers what the figures could mean for the Government’s proposed restructuring of taxi and private hire licensing.
Another major feature asks whether working air conditioning should become a licensing requirement where climate-control systems are fitted to taxis. Following the record-breaking summer of 2026, the publication considers passenger expectations, driver working conditions and whether functional air conditioning should form part of vehicle fitness standards.
Edition 89 also launches a new TaxiPoint series examining what motoring convictions can mean for professional driver licences. The first instalment focuses on the SP30 speeding endorsement and explains why an ordinary three-point offence will not normally end a taxi driving career, while highlighting the separate licensing consequences that can arise from accumulated points, more serious speeding or failures to report convictions.
The September magazine also looks at the ageing London taxi workforce. TfL figures cited by TaxiPoint show 59.2% of licensed London taxi drivers were aged 56 or above in January 2026, while just 64 drivers were aged between 21 and 30. The feature examines the recruitment and vehicle-cost pressures facing the sector as a large proportion of existing drivers approach conventional retirement age.
Elsewhere, readers will find coverage of the newly launched Britain’s Taxi Hero award, new Right to Work responsibilities facing private hire operators from 1 October, Veezu’s expansion in the West Midlands, ComCab’s new five-year Dial-a-Ride contract and developments affecting school taxi contracts in Northern Ireland.
The magazine’s regular regional and enforcement coverage includes a cross-border operation that checked 108 taxis and PHVs licensed by 26 councils, action against so-called “ghost plates”, four licence suspensions following Bradford roadside checks and 64 penalty charge notices issued to unauthorised vehicles occupying Liverpool taxi ranks.
Edition 89 also opens a wider discussion about taxi vehicle policy, asking drivers whether they would prefer broad freedom to select any compliant vehicle or a uniform fleet based around one prescribed model and appearance. The debate considers vehicle costs, accessibility, fleet recognition and the supply-chain risks associated with depending heavily on a single vehicle.
The September 2026 issue continues TaxiPoint Magazine’s coverage of the operational, regulatory and commercial issues affecting taxi and private hire drivers, operators, licensing authorities and suppliers across the UK.
