Wolverhampton cross border boom sees 109 people licensed as private hire drivers for every 1,000 people in region

Image credit: DALL.E (AI generated)

The Department for Transport's (DfT) latest statistics reveal a significant shift in the landscape of taxi and private hire services in England.

In 2024, the average number of licensed taxi and PHV vehicles per 1,000 people in England stood at 5.5, slightly up from 5.1 in 2023. This overall picture masks a striking urban-rural divide: London boasts 12.1 vehicles per 1,000 residents, in stark contrast to 2.5 vehicles per 1,000 people in rural areas. These figures highlight a consistent trend from the previous year.

A key point to consider is that the reported figures reflect the number of vehicles licensed by an authority, rather than the actual number available for hire within those areas. This distinction, known as cross border hiring, is crucial for understanding the local availability of services.

Wolverhampton stands out in these statistics, with a whopping 109 licensed PHVs per 1,000 people, far surpassing other regions in England and Wales. Most other authorities have fewer than 20 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents.

This disparity can be attributed to varying licensing policies and practices across regions. Wolverhampton's significant rise in licensed PHVs since 2017 suggests factors such as flexible cross border licensing arrangements, where vehicles may be licensed in one area but operate elsewhere.

The picture for taxis is more uniform, with all licensing authorities maintaining between 0 and 6.3 taxis per 1,000 people. This consistency contrasts with the diverse landscape of private hire services and reflects different regulatory and market conditions for taxis versus private hire vehicles.