Uber Calls for Removal of Glasgow’s Private Hire Car Cap

Uber has urged Glasgow City Council to remove the cap on private hire cars, arguing that the current limit is preventing the company from meeting growing demand. The city presently allows 3,450 private hire vehicles and 1,420 taxis, but Uber claims that tens of thousands of trip requests go unfulfilled each year due to the restriction.

The company emphasized that Glasgow is the only city in Scotland with such a cap, while cities like Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have only conducted studies on unmet demand. Uber believes the cap negatively impacts both the local economy and public transport users, particularly during late-night hours when buses, trains, and underground services are unavailable.

Matt Freckelton, Uber's Head of Cities in the UK, stated:

"We are advocating for the removal of the cap. Glasgow is the only city in Scotland which has implemented a cap in recent years. Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have looked into caps by running unmet demand surveys."

He further noted that Uber’s operations in key areas such as the city’s two main railway stations and Scotland’s largest exhibition center suffer due to the cap, resulting in excessive wait times for customers.

"To give you an example, across the two (city centre) railway stations in Glasgow last year, we had tens of thousands of unfulfilled trips that we could not meet because of the cap. And 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, and we take those two cities specifically because that’s what Glasgow City Council benchmarks itself."

The ongoing consultation by Glasgow City Council aims to determine whether the restriction should remain in place. The city’s business sector, including bar, restaurant, and nightclub owners, has expressed concerns that limited transport options may deter people from coming into the city at night.

Uber, which has operated in Glasgow since 2015, believes lifting the cap would allow it to register hundreds of additional drivers, improving availability and reducing wait times. However, not all stakeholders share this view.

The Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) has voiced opposition, warning that an oversaturated market could force existing drivers to work excessively long hours just to make a living. The association contends that the primary issue is not a shortage of vehicles but rather a lack of customers.

SPHA representatives have raised concerns that an increase in private hire vehicles could lead to financial hardship for drivers, impacting both their well-being and public safety. The council’s consultation will weigh these arguments before reaching a final decision.