Taxi and private hire drivers to protest in Glasgow

Glasgow black cab drivers <i>(Image: Colin Mearns)</i>
Glasgow black cab drivers (Image: Colin Mearns)
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Taxi and Private hire drivers are joining forces to stage a protest to keep the cap on vehicle numbers.

Members of Unite cab section and the Scottish Private Hire Association, are handing in a petition to the council at the City Chambers today.

The council has completed a consultation asking for views on either altering the number at which vehicles are capped, keeping it or abolishing it.

Currently, there is a limit of 3450 private hire cars and 1420 for taxis.

(Image: Newsquest)

After lobbying from city centre nighttime economy businesses, who say a lack of taxis is preventing people from visiting the city centre at night, the council decided to review the cap.

Private hire drivers, taxi drivers and their representatives have spoken out against any plan to lift the cap, stating there is not enough work to go around and they fear drivers will be unable to earn a living if more are allowed.


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They argue the reason the nighttime economy is suffering is down to changes in how and when people socialise and not the number of taxis or private hire cars.

Uber is in favour and wants a free-for-all all with no cap on the number of drivers.

Councillors are expected to make a decision on the cap when they return after the summer recess.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The cap in place for private hire vehicles is about protecting a fair, safe, and accessible transport system.

“The demonstration and petition being handed in by Unite’s taxi membership raises really important issues not just for the drivers but for everyone in Glasgow.

“The drivers will have their union’s full support in the fight to Keep the Cap.” 

Eddie Grice, the General Secretary of the SPHA, said: "Maintaining the plate caps isn't just about protecting driver incomes; it’s fundamentally about public safety.

“The trade faces many challenges and drivers are feeling a financial strain. If that worsens then drivers will inevitably be forced to work longer hours and more shifts leading to fatigue.

“This puts everybody at risk. Scrapping the cap would lead to an oversupply of vehicles and would fire the starting pistol on a race to the bottom, where corners are cut on vehicle standards, driver welfare, and ultimately, public safety.

"These overprovision policies are essential for so many reasons, but the most important one is they stop an excessive number of vehicles from flooding the market, which would drive down driver earnings to unsustainable levels.

"The only voice seriously pushing for the cap to be scrapped is that of massive companies like Uber, who have vowed to flood the city with hundreds more cars. It's not sustainable and it's not safe and it must not be allowed to happen."

(Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Glasgow Council said: “Taxi and private hire car services have undergone a period of considerable change in recent years.

“Committee members therefore wished to reflect on whether the policies that regulate these services remain proportionate and necessary.

“The recent consultation on the number of taxi and private hire cars eligible to operate in Glasgow was open to all and has drawn in a wide range of opinion on this matter.

“A report on the findings of the consultation will be brought forward in the near future.

“Committee members will determine the approach to be taken following consideration of this report.”

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