Edinburgh cabbies petition council to cap private hire numbers to help congestion and air quality

Taxi drivers in Edinburgh are calling for the Council to offer a provisioning survey to cap the numbers of private hire vehicles working in the area. The number of private hire vehicles licensed by City of Edinburgh has boomed in recent years, causing much concern to the Hackney Carriage taxis plying their trade in the Scottish capital.

Unite Union taxi drivers have called upon the council to impose a cap on the number of vehicles licensed to help ease congestion levels and increasing poor air quality. A petition has been created which the drivers hope to deliver to Edinburgh’s Sub Licensing Committee showing support for the action. Unite Union Edinburgh Cab Section said in their petition appeal: “We at the Unite the Union Edinburgh Cab Section believe the number of Private Hire Car licenses in Edinburgh is a serious cause for concern for the City. “City of Edinburgh Council’s hypocrisy is staggering to allow Private Hire Licences numbers to increase at a rate of 5 a day, we are now seeing  an unprecedented number of almost 2500 Private hire Licences and with the current climate emergency and their upcoming Low Emission Zone, why are they allowing these cars to congest our streets.  “We hope that you will help us achieve our aim and get the Private Hire Car Licences capped, by signing our Petition you are asking the City of Edinburgh’s Sub Licensing committee to carry out an over provisioning survey with a view to cap numbers.” 

Image credit: TaxiPoint