The Taxi Insurer finds passengers in northern England rely most on private hire vehicles as public transport gaps widen
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Passengers in northern England are more reliant on private hire vehicles (PHVs) than those in any other region of England, according to new research commissioned by taxi insurance broker The Taxi Insurer.
The findings suggest that patchy public transport networks continue to drive demand for pre-booked taxis and ride-hailing services across the region.
The survey found that 8% of respondents in northern England believe public transport in their area is unreliable. That compares with 5% in the south-east, 4% in central England and just 3% in the south-west, highlighting regional differences in confidence in local transport provision.
The findings come as policymakers continue to debate investment in regional transport infrastructure, with buses and rail services in parts of northern England facing ongoing challenges around frequency, reliability and connectivity. For taxi and private hire operators, the research indicates that demand continues to be supported by gaps in wider transport provision rather than purely discretionary travel.
David Sweeney of The Taxi Insurer said: “Our research shows that northerners rely on PHVs to plug what they see as the gaps in their public transport network far more than those in other English regions. This is clearly reflected in the amount they’re prepared to spend on PHV journeys and how often they make them.”
The research also suggests passengers in northern England are spending more on private hire travel. Around 15% of respondents said they spend between £101 and £150 each month on PHV journeys. That is more than double the proportion recorded in central England at 7%, and ahead of both the south-east and south-west, where 11% reported spending within the same range.
Journey frequency also remains comparatively high. More than one in 10 respondents in northern England (13%) said they use a PHV at least once a week. That matches usage levels in the south-east but is almost twice the rate recorded in both central England and the south-west, where weekly use stands at 7%.
The survey also revealed notable differences in journey purposes between regions. Sixteen per cent of passengers in northern England said they use PHVs to attend medical appointments, compared with just 7% in central England. Business travel also showed a regional divide, with 10% of northern respondents using PHVs for work or business meetings, double the 5% recorded in central England.
Social travel remains another significant driver of demand. Nearly half (46%) of respondents in northern England said they use PHVs to get home after a night out, compared with 34% of those surveyed in central England.
The findings reinforce the important role played by taxi and private hire services in areas where public transport options are more limited, particularly for essential journeys such as healthcare appointments and commuting. For operators serving towns and rural communities across northern England, the research suggests demand remains closely linked to the availability and reliability of alternative transport.
Commenting on the findings, Sweeney added: “All PHV drivers provide an essential service to many passengers who would otherwise have rely on public transport to come their aid, but that’s particularly true in the north.
“At a time of rising operating costs and increasing competition, it’s vital that drivers keep their insurance premiums to a minimum. To help do that, we recommend they speak to an insurance broker. These specialists have spent years nurturing relationships with a trusted panel of insurer partners and focus on finding products and policies that meet their clients’ requirements and expectations.”
