Cap the number of Private Hire Vehicles in Edinburgh - Petitions (Closed)

Dear Members of the Council,
We, the undersigned representatives of Edinburgh's licensed taxi and private hire sectors, write jointly to formally request that the City of Edinburgh Council commission an over-provision survey under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, and consider the introduction of an immediate cap on private hire vehicle (PHC) licences, where such action is supported by the findings.
This joint position follows a meeting held on 1st July 2025, at which it was unanimously agreed by all parties that urgent action is needed to address the escalating imbalance within Edinburgh's licensing framework.
To be absolutely clear: this joint statement is solely for the purpose of advocating for an overprovision survey and/or immediate cap on PHC's. While future collaboration may be of mutual interest, any further steps would require formal consultation and approval from our respective memberships.
At present, the figures speak for themselves:
• Approximately 1,100 active black cabs, capped at 1,300
• More than 3,000 PHCs on Edinburgh's roads, with no cap currently in place
• No transparent or proactive assessment of whether these numbers are sustainable
The disparity extends far beyond just numbers. Becoming a licensed black cab driver in Edinburgh involves significant barriers to entry - drivers must:
• Operate a fully disability-accessible vehicle
• Pass a rigorous topographical knowledge test
In contrast, obtaining a private hire vehicle licence currently involves minimal barriers: in most cases, the applicant only needs to pass a basic police background check and hold a valid driving licence.
This imbalance has created a system in which the most regulated and accessible form of transport is being undermined by an unchecked rise in minimally regulated alternatives.
We are not calling for one sector to dominate over another - we are calling for fairness, sustainability, and accountability. The Council has the legal tools it needs under Section 10(3) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, just as Glasgow has already demonstrated by commissioning an over-provision survey and implementing a cap.
This is about more than regulation - it's about:
• Preserving public safety and accessibility
• Safeguarding a high-standard, locally-rooted trade
• Ensuring a fair, level playing field for all operators
• Maintaining public trust in Edinburgh's transport system
We urge the Council to initiate an overprovision survey without delay and consider the introduction of a cap where evidence supports it. We are committed to working constructively to ensure Edinburgh's transport system remains strong, safe, and fair - for drivers, passengers, and the wider public.

This petition is intended to be an instruction to Edinburgh council to have a consultation on the over provision of PH cars in Edinburgh. Since it was last looked at in 2022 there has been a large increase in the number of PH vehicles operating in Edinburgh. The effects of this has consequences for drivers income, both in the PH trade and the Hackney trade, and is directly correlated to public safety due to longer working hours for drivers. We have asked the council to look at this for years and have been ignored at every attempt. We urge Edinburgh council to meet their responsibilities and have the consultation, and act accordingly if there is evidence of over provision.

1228 (individual) and 6 (business)

K Auld, D Horsburgh, J Stalker, S Livingstone and E Grice

This petition was considered by the Regulatory Committee on Friday 8 August 2025.