Glasgow’s cap on taxis and private hire under the spotlight as debate grows
Glasgow City Council’s cap on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) numbers is under scrutiny once again, with growing calls to either uphold or scrap the policy entirely.
The limit was introduced to control vehicle numbers, manage congestion and protect the viability of existing operators. However, with urban transport changing, the policy is drawing both support and criticism from various sides.
The review of Glasgow’s overprovision policy, launched by the council, is re-examining whether the current cap remains effective or necessary. Currently, no new taxi plates are being issued, and numbers for private hire vehicles are also tightly controlled. The council argues this helps balance service availability with broader city priorities such as traffic management and air quality.
But companies like Uber are pushing for change. The ride-hailing firm says demand is high enough in Glasgow to support more drivers and has called for the cap to be removed. They argue that current restrictions make it harder to meet passenger demand, particularly at peak times. Uber claims removing the cap would help shorten wait times and improve service levels for passengers.
On the other hand, concerns have been raised that lifting the cap could flood the market with too many drivers. Industry representatives warn this could force drivers to work longer hours to make a living. There are fears this could impact driver welfare and reduce standards across the trade.
In areas of the UK without similar restrictions, some drivers and local officials have called for caps to be introduced. They argue that unregulated growth leads to over-saturation and a drop in service standards. Supporters of capping say it protects livelihoods and ensures a consistent and viable service for passengers.
Whether a cap helps or hinders depends largely on how demand and supply are managed. For passengers, more cars on the road could mean faster pick-ups, though not necessarily better quality or safer conditions with drivers working longer hours.
