DEREG DILEMMA EDINBURGH COUNCIL TO SURVEY
PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE OVERPROVISION
Last month Edinburgh councillors approved a survey to determine if there is an overabundance of PHVs operating in the city. The decision follows a petition from a group of taxi drivers who argued that the market is “over- saturated” and causing “unsustain- able pressure” on their trade. The drivers had also requested a temporary freeze on new PH licences, which was rejected by the
Regulatory Committee. The survey tender process will take approximately 12 weeks, with data collection scheduled for the first half of 2026. Taxi drivers claim PH drivers are undercutting their business. City taxi driver Keith Auld told the committee: “We’re under unsustainable pressure. This isn’t competition, but oversaturation.” The drivers’ petition also raised concerns about dangerously long
working hours among PH drivers due to low incomes. Currently, there are 2,982 PHVs and 1,090 taxis operating in the city. Mr. Auld claimed that the number of PHVs increases by three every day. Cllr Joanna Mowat expressed caution about market intervention and the danger of “creating protected markets”, but acknow- ledged that the public safety concerns warranted the survey.
A public consultation has revealed overwhelming support from Glasgow residents for maintaining the city’s cap on taxi and PH licences. An online survey of 4,440 people found that 92% were in favour of retaining the PH cap, while 90% supported keeping the taxi licence limit. Despite this public sentiment, a council report highlights a “clear conflict in views” with written responses submitted by business groups such as Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow Taxis, Uber and Unite the Union. The Glasgow Chamber of Com- merce argues that the current policies, which limit taxis to 1,420 and PHVs to 3,450, are “misaligned with the city’s ambition for economic recovery and a thriving night time economy.” This perspective is backed by recent council-commissioned reports indicating a lack of late- night transport is hurting the city’s post-Covid recovery.
24
GLASGOWCOUNCIL ORDERS REVIEW OF PLATE CAP DESPITE MASSIVE CONFLICTING PUBLIC OPINION To
resolve these conflicting
opinions, on 27 August councillors recommended a full independent review which will consider competition, pricing, consumer attitudes and behaviour, the impact on the wider city centre economy, comparisons with other UK cities and the effect on operator and driver earnings. Following this decision the Scottish PHA issued the following state- ment: “We must express our significant disappointment with the outcome of today’s committee decision. We are concerned this decision undermines the purpose and value of the recent public consultation, which showed over- whelming support for retaining the existing licence caps. “Over 3,800 members of the public reported no issues with securing a ride. This level of public engage- ment and consensus is remarkable and, in our view, should have been a clear and decisive factor in the committee’s decision-making.
“We were told this public exercise would inform the council’s path forward on this important issue. The public has spoken, yet their opinion is seemingly being set aside in favour of a second process. It feels like a case of if the council doesn’t get the answer it wants, it will try again until it does. “The SPHA believes the council’s assertion that a clear conflict of opinions were recieved is question- able. It appears to prioritise a small handful of written submissions from influential voices over the vast majority of the public. This raises serious questions about the fairness of the process and the true influence of powerful commercial interests. “Furthermore, we are concerned about the financial implications of commissioning another in-depth review, which will be paid for by licence holders. “We urge the council to reconsider its approach and listen to the clear will of the people.”
SEPTEMBER 2025 PHTM
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