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Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' PHCs http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41667	Page 1 of 1

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 4:21 am ]
Post subject:	Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' PHCs
Haven't heard stuff like this since, er, I started in the Dundee trade almost 30 years ago. And for about three decades since Although, to be fair, it's not so much a thing these days as it was back in the day Hundreds sign Glasgow Keep the Cap taxi campaign https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-even ... i-campaign Cab demonstration at George Square to hand in petition Glasgow taxi drivers will hold a rally and hand-in a petition today (Wednesday 30 July) signed by over 500 people against the proposal to consider lifting the cap on private hire vehicles across the city. A petition launched by Unite’s Glasgow Cab Section has gained 545 signatures so far protesting against the prospect of the number of taxis and private hire cabs cap being lifted by the city’s authority. Unite Glasgow taxi demonstration WHEN: Wednesday 30 July Time: 12:30 to 13:30 WHERE: Cochrane Street by John Street with Keep the Cap Petition to be handed to Council officials. A public consultation held by Glasgow City Council on the private hire cap finished on May 28. The current private hire vehicle limit is 3,450 but companies including Uber are pushing for the cap to be lifted. Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said: “The cap in place for private hire vehicles is about protecting a fair, safe, and accessible transport system. The demonstration and petition being handed in by Unite’s taxi membership raises really important issues not just for the drivers but for everyone in Glasgow. The drivers will have their union’s full support in the fight to Keep the Cap.” Unite’s Glasgow Cab section claim that any move to remove the cap would cause serious harm to taxi accessibility for passengers with mobility problems, reduce vehicle standards, increase pollution, and create a ‘race to the bottom’ in the city’s transport system. The union added that Glasgow's transport system could be ‘overwhelmed’ by unregulated operators if the cap is lifted, and this could raise wider safety concerns as private cab firms and operators may not hold the same rigorous safety checks and procedures. Andy Brown Unite industrial officer said: “The fact is that there is no shred of evidence to support Glasgow City Council lifting the current cap on private hire vehicles. The opposite is true because the cap in place helps to protect vehicle standards, the environment, and, critically for our members, it guards against a race to the bottom. The only people to benefit from any cap being lifted is multi-national firms such as Uber whose exclusive motive is profit.” ENDS Notes to Editor For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 4:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Quote: The union added that Glasgow's transport system could be ‘overwhelmed’ by unregulated operators if the cap is lifted, and this could raise wider safety concerns as private cab firms and operators may not hold the same rigorous safety checks and procedures.

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
For what it's worth, this is a slightly more rounded article in a news source rather than the Unite press release above The usual lazy boilerplate from Uber, though - you'd think they'd be able to do a bit better than that Glasgow taxi drivers to stage city centre protest over review of private hire cap https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... y-32163397 Cab drivers will hold a rally and hand in a petition to the council as it weighs proposals that could see the number of private hire vehicles — from providers such as Uber — increase in Glasgow. Glasgow taxi drivers are to stage a protest in Glasgow city centre as the City Council reviews the cap on private hire vehicles across the city. Cab drivers will hold a rally and hand in a petition to the council opposing an increase to the cap. They fear the council could increase the number of private hire vehicles, such as Ubers, allowed to operate in the city. A public consultation held by Glasgow City Council on the private hire cap finished on May 28. The current private hire vehicle limit is 3,450 but companies including Uber are pushing for the cap to be lifted. A report on the consultation is yet to be published and no recommendations have been made to the Licensing Committee. No other aspect of licensing regime for taxis and private hire cars is in within the scope of the review with no change to checks on whether a driver is a fit and proper person or regular vehicle safety checks. Unite the Union, which represents the cab drivers, claims that any move to remove the cap would “cause serious harm to taxi accessibility for passengers with mobility problems, reduce vehicle standards, increase pollution, and create a ‘race to the bottom’ in the city’s transport system.” The union added that Glasgow's transport system could be “overwhelmed” by “unregulated” operators if the cap is lifted, and this could raise wider safety concerns as private cab firms and operators “may not hold the same rigorous safety checks and procedures.” All applicants seeking drive a taxi or private hire car are subject to police checks, immigration checks, health checks , HMRC checks, complete driver training and have to satisfy all the conditions of their licence on an on-going basis. Private hire vehicles also have to meet emissions standards. A petition against the proposal, launched by Unite’s Glasgow Cab Section, has gained 545 signatures so far and will be delivered to Glasgow City Council later today. Cab drivers will meet at Cochrane Street at 12.30pm. Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said: “The cap in place for private hire vehicles is about protecting a fair, safe, and accessible transport system. The demonstration and petition being handed in by Unite’s taxi membership raises really important issues not just for the drivers but for everyone in Glasgow. The drivers will have their union’s full support in the fight to Keep the Cap.” Andy Brown Unite industrial officer said: “The fact is that there is no shred of evidence to support Glasgow City Council lifting the current cap on private hire vehicles. The opposite is true because the cap in place helps to protect vehicle standards, the environment, and, critically for our members, it guards against a race to the bottom.” A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "Taxi and private hire car services have undergone a period of considerable change in recent years. Committee members therefore wished to reflect on whether the policies that regulate these services remain proportionate and necessary. “The recent consultation on the number of taxi and private hire cars eligible to operate in Glasgow was open to all and has drawn in a wide range of opinion on this matter. A report on the findings of the consultation will be brought forward in the near future. Committee members will determine the approach to be taken following consideration of this report.” An Uber spokesperson said: “This proposed change could provide new earning opportunities for local drivers, give passengers greater transport options and support local businesses, in particular in the night time economy. "All drivers will have access to industry leading worker rights such as holiday pay and a pension, as well as formal representation through GMB Union. More passengers in Glasgow would be able to count on a safe trip through a range of industry-leading safety features.”

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Also this in another source from the SPHA - upping the rhetoric, perchance? https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/253 ... gow-today/ Image: Colin Mearns/Glasgow Evening Times [...]Eddie Grice, the General Secretary of the SPHA, said: "This is a critical moment for passenger safety and the long-term viability of our trade in Glasgow. Maintaining the plate caps isn't just about protecting driver incomes; it’s fundamentally about public safety. The trade faces many challenges and drivers are feeling a financial strain. If that worsens then drivers will inevitably be forced to work longer hours and more shifts leading to fatigue. This puts everybody at risk. Scrapping the cap would lead to an oversupply of vehicles and would fire the starting pistol on a race to the bottom, where corners are cut on vehicle standards, driver welfare, and ultimately, public safety. These policies ensure that Glasgow’s public can continue to rely on a professional and safe taxi and private hire service. "These overprovision policies are essential for so many reasons, but the most important one is they stop an excessive number of vehicles from flooding the market, which would drive down driver earnings to unsustainable levels. The only voice seriously pushing for the cap to be scrapped is that of massive companies like Uber, who have vowed to flood the city with hundreds more cars. It's not sustainable and it's not safe and it must not be allowed to happen. "I’m also incredibly encouraged to see the taxi and private hire trades standing shoulder-to-shoulder on this vital issue. It’s heartening to find common ground and work cordially together to defend policies that benefit us all, especially the safety of our passengers and all drivers in the fleets."[...]

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
This is a later report today after the protest, but don't think there's anything particularly new... Drivers raise fears for taxi and private hires at protest https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/253 ... s-protest/ Image: Colin Mearns/Glasgow Evening Times Drivers will be unable to earn a living and public safety will be put at risk if a cap on taxis and private hire cars in Glasgow is lifted, it has been warned. Glasgow City Council is to make a decision soon on whether to keep the overprovision cap, remove it or alter it, following a review. Currently, there is a limit of 1420 taxis and 3450 private hire cars operating in Glasgow. Recent figures showed there were 1238 taxis operating and the private hire cap has been reached. Business groups claim a lack of vehicles on the road is deterring people from coming to the city centre, while the trade says it is a lack of customers that is the problem. The council also commissioned studies which found “a lack of late-night transport options including the availability of taxi and private hire cars acting as a deterrent”. Drivers from the taxi and private hire trade joined forces to protest outside the City Chambers and urge the council to keep the cap. They claim Uber wants the cap lifted to flood the market with drivers, which will push down earnings. While Uber claims it has tens of thousands of unmet hires due to a lack of drivers. The drivers gathered in their cars and cabs to make their feelings known. Gary Watson, secretary of Unite Cab Section, said: “To put more vehicles out will be detrimental to those investing in the business.” He said parts and labour costs have increased to maintain their vehicles. Mr Watson added: “It's ok to say between midnight and 1am we need more cars. In any city in the world, you will need to wait 10 to 15 minutes at that time. “Earnings now are the same as 20 years ago at around £12 an hour. Drivers can have one hire in two hours on a Monday night. There is no room for Uber to flex their muscle and convince Glasgow City Council to put out more plates.” Eddie Grice of the Scottish Private Hire Association said: “If you scrap the cap the work for the drivers is diluted and drivers can’t make ends meet. “They will end up working more hours and more days and maintenance will be ignored. It is a public safety concern.” The council has confirmed that the current standards for drivers and vehicles will remain in place regardless of the numbers permitted. Earlier this year Uber told the Glasgow Times it was advocating for the cap to be lifted. Matt Freckelton, head of cities, said “At certain times of the day, specifically the nighttime economy, wait times for one of our vehicles can be 200% higher when compared to Manchester and Edinburgh He said there was enough business to go round, adding: From our perspective, it's about trying to increase the supply of vehicles and drivers and then through that the naturally invisible hand of the market will then create new drivers who want to go out on a Friday or Saturday night.” Glasgow City Council said: “A spokesman for the council said: 'Taxi and private hire car services have undergone a period of considerable change in recent years. “Committee members therefore wished to reflect on whether the policies that regulate these services remain proportionate and necessary. “The recent consultation on the number of taxi and private hire cars eligible to operate in Glasgow was open to all and has drawn in a wide range of opinion on this matter. “A report on the findings of the consultation will be brought forward in the near future. “Committee members will determine the approach to be taken following consideration of this report.”

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Jul 30, 2025 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Maybe the council should say we will uncap PH numbers, or we will uncap taxi numbers. Be interesting to see if certain views change should the above be an option.

Author:	XH558 [ Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Uncapping taxi numbers would certainly be left-field, given the current numbers. I suppose it's a binary decision - either the council has caps (based on whatever evidence) or it stands back and lets the market sort itself out. I responded to the consultation in those terms anyway.

Author:	StuartW [ Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Worth recalling, Sussex, that the HC cap is effectively academic, because there are 200 plates unused now, it would seem, so uncapping wouldn't make any difference. Presumably. Anyway, yet another piece after the shindig $\:D/$ Obviously a lot of overlap with earlier pieces, but some cracking new quotes and stuff (Lots of photos, but a bit big to display here, so just the links...) Glasgow taxi and private hire drivers push for cab cap to stay with city centre rally https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... s-32169487 Glasgow City Council is currently reviewing its overprovision policies and Uber wants to see the private hire limit removed. https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 123416.jpg Glasgow taxi and private hire drivers say there are already enough cabs operating in the city — and lifting a cap could risk public safety. Unite the union and the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) led a rally outside Glasgow city chambers today, which called for over-provision policies, limiting the number of vehicles, to be kept in place. The council recently held a consultation on the cap after concerns were raised about the availability of cabs, particularly late at night. Ride-hailing app Uber and business leaders in the city are in favour of its removal. But drivers at the rally believe changes to the cap could “flood the market”, hitting their earnings and forcing them to work “more and more” hours, causing safety risks. Academic research previously highlighted anxieties over securing a ride home can put people off visiting the city centre in the evening. The over-provision policies were last reviewed in 2023, when Glasgow’s licensing committee agreed to make 255 more private hire car licences available to address demand at busy times. https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 125710.jpg Neil Scoffield, a private hire driver, said: “My worry is that again, just to try and keep everyone happy, they are going to up the number. It is hard already out here, it’s not busy. The city centre is on its knees. “You go through the city, there are cars parked up everywhere. If you increase the number, you are going to cause damage to the trade that is irreversible.” Ahead of the rally, Unite had prepared a petition, signed by almost 550 people, which called for the cap to remain while the SPHA put together a membership ballot report, where 83% of members, on a 79% turnout, supported keeping it. Gary Watson, from Unite, said: “There are enough taxis out there, whether it is hackney or private hire, we have a combination here from both trades and we are suffering out there. “There’s high costs on insurance, there’s high parts… it’s a tight ship. We don’t want any more plates to be issued. “It is busy, maybe between midnight and 1.30am on a Saturday night, but that is only a short spell. Any city in Britain would be the same. https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 124507.jpg “If you or I were out, we’d be only too willing to wait 15 or 20 minutes for a cab, so we are saying that’s the busy time, but when it comes to the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, day shift or nightshift, that’s a different story.” Currently, the number of taxis is allowed to reach 1,420 and private hire cars can get to 3,450. Private hires are at the limit, with hundreds of bids for new licences rejected over the past year. The number of taxis has been below the cap. One driver at the rally, Alfie Wellcoat, said: “The likes of Uber or any other company could just buy up as many cars as they want and then flood the market, then it would just be an over saturation like it is in London and many other cities around the world. “You’ll get an Uber in one minute but it’ll just mean we’re all chasing the work because there’s not enough work. Right now it’s probably a good level, I know at night time there might not be enough cars out but there’s enough drivers and enough cars in the mix, there’s just not enough guys going out and working at night time.” He said drivers can be put off from working late due to roadworks as well as customers being “a little bit more lively”. “In the evenings, you get more problems,” he added. https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 124237.jpg A report on the findings from the consultation on the over-provision policies will be presented to the licensing committee in the coming months, before any decision is made. Reports by market research agency Progressive Partnership and Glasgow Caledonian University Moffat Centre, commissioned by the council, indicated “the late night city centre economy continues to face a number of post-covid challenges”. They highlighted issues “relating to a lack of late-night transport options including the availability of taxi and private hire cars acting as a deterrent to people coming in the city centre area later in the evening”. Eddie Grice, the Glasgow branch convenor of the SPHA, said the reports had found a shortage of taxis was “just one possible option” for problems with nightlife. “If you look across the UK, every city suffers with a nightlife problem and Glasgow is the only city with a cap,” he added. “I think there are enough drivers out. We are talking about peak time demand, that is always going to be a bit of a sticking point. For the rest of the week, we are overprovided.” He added: “You remove the cap, the number of cars will increase, the amount of work available for each car is going to dilute. “The earnings are going to go down, drivers are going to be forced to work more and more hours. It is going to lead to driver fatigue, to not fixing things when they need to be fixed, and to public safety concerns.” https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 125214.jpg A council spokesman said: “Taxi and private hire car services have undergone a period of considerable change in recent years. “Committee members therefore wished to reflect on whether the policies that regulate these services remain proportionate and necessary. “The recent consultation on the number of taxi and private hire cars eligible to operate in Glasgow was open to all and has drawn in a wide range of opinion on this matter. “A report on the findings of the consultation will be brought forward in the near future. Committee members will determine the approach to be taken following consideration of this report.”

Author:	StuartW [ Thu Jul 31, 2025 1:51 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uncapping would 'overwhelm' Glasgow with 'unregulated' P
Quote: One driver at the rally, Alfie Wellcoat, said: “The likes of Uber or any other company could just buy up as many cars as they want and then flood the market, then it would just be an over saturation like it is in London and many other cities around the world. So why isn't Uber buying up cars at the moment, and how would they buy up cars if the cap was lifted? Anyway, the most interesting thing is the photo of Unite's petition wording, which is high-res enough to read: https://i2-prod.glasgowlive.co.uk/incom ... 124507.jpg ...although, to be fair, most of this has been said before, including: - the stuff about uncapping apparently leading to a reduction in HC WAVs. So that means before the cap the number of HCs was affected by PHCs? It was actually static for a couple of decades until LEZ - the stuff about HC numbers being below the capped figure because of barriers to entry and a lack of opportunity. Or something like that. No, me neither - the stuff about Uber not owning cars nor employing drivers. Er, remind me how the rest of the trade works - and, of course, that totally contradicts what the other guy said about Uber buying up all the cars - then there's the complaint about Uber lobbying councils. As Unite and the SPHA issue press releases, stage a rally, present a petition, provide photo ops, obtain coverage in several different press outlets, blah, blah. Maybe it's just me...

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