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Posted on the 30th July 2025 in PHTM News
SCOTTISH PH ASSOCIATION AND UNITE JOINTLY CAMPAIGN OVER GLASGOW TAXI AND PH LIMITS
The Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) and Unite the Union Cab Section are set to take part in a joint demonstration in support of the taxi and private hire overprovision policies, also known as plate caps,
in Glasgow. This collaboration will see drivers from both sectors standing together in solidarity in an effort to protect their livelihoods and ensure a sustainable future for the industry.
On Wednesday, July 30th, taxi and private hire drivers will converge on Cochrane Street from 12.30pm, flanking the City Chambers with vehicles.
During the demonstration, both organisations will hand deliver petitions to the Council. Unite the Union will present their members' petition, reflecting the collective voice of their taxi members, and the SPHA will
deliver their membership ballot report, demonstrating the overwhelming support within the private hire sector for maintaining current plate cap policies.
The Unite petition has gathered over 500 signatures while the SPHA ballot resulted in 83% of their members, on a 79% turnout, supporting keeping the plate cap.
Both the SPHA and Unite the Union are encouraging their members, and also independent taxi and private hire drivers, to participate in the demonstration to show their support for the campaign.
Quotes from Eddie Grice, the General Secretary of the SPHA: "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."
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