CROSS-BORDER: Wolverhampton licensed private hire vehicles rise by nearly 8,000 in last year
City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled the number of private hire vehicle licences has risen by nearly 8,000, with data also showing the vast majority of individually licensed drivers also residing outside the city.
The information was disclosed in response to a recent Freedom of Information request and highlights a growing trend of non-local drivers operating under cross-border rules.
The latest data reveals that while the number of Hackney Carriages has remained relatively stable over the past five years, the issuance of Private Hire Vehicle licences has surged. From April 2023 to March 2024, the council issued 32,169 Private Hire Vehicle licences, a substantial rise from 24,375 the previous year.
A notable aspect of the data is the dominance of non-local drivers. In the last year, the council issued licences to 20,375 drivers living outside Wolverhampton, while only 813 licences were granted to local drivers. This trend reflects a controversial phenomenon in the industry where drivers licensed in one jurisdiction operate in another under cross-border rules.
Cross-border hiring refers to the practice where drivers licensed by one local authority operate in another area. This practice, facilitated by the Deregulation Act 2015, has stirred long-term controversy in the taxi industry. The Act allows private hire drivers to accept bookings anywhere, regardless of the licensing authority.
Proponents argue that cross-border hiring benefits customers by providing greater choice and availability, particularly in areas where local authorities may have restrictive licensing policies. However, critics claim it undermines local control over licensing and can lead to inconsistencies in safety standards and enforcement.
The increase in drivers operating outside of Wolverhampton has sparked discussions on the potential implications for local drivers and the broader regulatory environment. Local taxi operators have expressed concerns that cross-border hiring allows drivers to bypass stricter local regulations, creating an uneven playing field.
In response to these concerns, some local authorities have called for reforms to the cross-border hiring rules. The focus is on creating a more consistent and fair regulatory framework that addresses issues such as safety standards, enforcement, and market competition.
This situation highlights the evolving dynamics of the local taxi industry, where non-local drivers are increasingly dominating the market. The debate over cross-border hiring and its implications for local communities is likely to continue, as stakeholders consider potential regulatory changes to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this practice.
