What a private hire cap in Edinburgh could mean for passengers and drivers
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
If City of Edinburgh Council agrees to introduce a cap on private hire vehicle (PHV) licences, the decision is likely to affect both the public and drivers working in the city. With over 3,000 PHVs currently operating and calls growing to curb the increase, the implications of a cap would be huge for both taxi and PHV drivers when it comes to earning a viable living.
For passengers, one of the key questions is whether a cap could lead to longer waiting times and reduced availability of on-demand services, particularly at peak times or in less central areas. App-based booking services, which dominate the PHV market, have made it easier for people to get picked up quickly. The aim of a restriction however is not to limit fleet growth or alter current service levels. The cap limit will be decided based on the number of PHVs needed to service current demand levels.
