What Greater Manchester’s cross border taxi licensing review could mean for other combined authorities
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Greater Manchester’s new review into taxi licensing could set a precedent for other combined authorities looking to raise standards and regain control over private hire operations. With Mayor Andy Burnham pushing for changes to national legislation, the outcomes of this review may influence wider devolution plans across England.
The current system allows private hire vehicles to be licensed in one authority but operate freely in another, limiting local councils’ ability to enforce safety, environmental, and service standards. Greater Manchester’s decision to examine how to improve local licensing conditions, while lobbying for change through the English Devolution Bill, could provide a working model for other mayoral regions.
The 12-week review, led by Trafford Council Chief Executive Sara Todd, will look at how drivers can be encouraged to license locally. It will assess areas including service requirements, efficiency of application processes, financial incentives, and possible adjustments to licence conditions. The findings are expected to shape recommendations for longer-term reforms, with a report due in Autumn 2025.
For other combined authorities, the review offers insight into practical steps that can be taken within the current framework, as well as how a coordinated regional approach can strengthen the case for national reform. Areas with similar challenges—such as the West Midlands, Liverpool, West Yorkshire and even Greater London—may look to replicate elements of Greater Manchester’s approach if it proves effective in boosting local accountability and improving driver engagement.
The campaign also brings into sharper focus the growing pressure on central government to close legal gaps that allow the rise of out-of-area licensing. By aligning licensing powers with local transport responsibilities, combined authorities could ensure that all parts of the public transport system meet consistent standards, including those applied to taxis and private hire vehicles.
If backed by legislative change, Greater Manchester’s push for local licensing control may mark the beginning of a broader shift in how taxi services are regulated across England’s devolved regions.
