Glasgow taxi drivers to protest against changing cap on vehicles

Taxi drivers across Glasgow are holding a rally later against a review by the council into the number of vehicles operating as a cab across the city.

They've started a petition which has had over 445 signatures so far.

The current private hire vehicle limit 3,450.

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."

Larger companies like Uber are pushing for the cap to be removed.

But the union is warning the city's transport system could be "overwhelmed" by unregulated operators if it's lifted.

General secretary Sharon Graham 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."

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.”

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