A new report set to be presented to Wiltshire Council’s Licensing Committee reveals a significant decline in the number of licensed cab drivers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The county has lost around 200 drivers - a 10% drop - with numbers falling from 1,050 in April 2020 to fewer than 850 in July 2025.
According to the licensing team, many drivers have transitioned to more flexible work. “Many drivers found that making food deliveries saw the same money without the unsocial and long hours,” the report notes.
This shift in employment, combined with a weakened night-time economy and reduced high street footfall, means the council does "not believe driver numbers will ever return to the levels seen pre-Covid."
The report also highlights a change in industry trends. The number of licensed vehicles has dropped from 917 to 823 today, Around 500 are hackney carriages, while the rest are private hire vehicles.
While the council is receiving a "large number" of new applications, most are from individuals seeking part-time work to supplement other employment.
The report also touches on ongoing issues with out-of-county drivers, particularly those working for Uber.
While Uber is not a licensed operator in Wiltshire, current legislation does not prevent drivers licensed elsewhere from operating in the county. This situation, the report says, "has generated a lot of complaints and bad feeling within the trade."
In the meantime, the council continues to enforce driver conduct, having revoked four licences in July alone.
Neil Charnock, a cabbie with 23 years of experience, is urging the council to support a national campaign led by GM Mayor Andy Burnham to close a legislative loophole that allows the practice.
The incident took place on Saturday, September 6, between 9:30pm and 9:40pm outside the Tomahawk restaurant on Lendal.
The approved changes will see the standard rate, Tariff 1, rise from £2.50 to £3 per mile, while Tariff 3, used during peak times, will increase from £3.75 to £4.50 per mile.
Yasar Rehman Butt, 48, admitted to the charge of "being a PHV operator who failed to accept a booking by a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog."
The council, alongside Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the nine other Greater Manchester licensing authorities, is urging for an end to the practice.
The drivers gathered outside the town’s Taxi Licensing Office opposing a rule that will require all Daventry taxis to be wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) by January 1, 2026.
The council plans to have the system in place by November 10, with cameras and signs to be installed and the back-office systems finalised.
Brian Yewdall, 67, appeared at Douglas Courthouse and admitted to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour.
Nozir Rahman, 31, who works for KingKabs, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 10, to an offence under the Equality Act 2010.
Graham Brown, who has held his licence since 2008 and has no prior public complaints, was first issued a warning letter on May 22 after a similar offence.
The calls came at an emergency meeting of the Dundee City Taxi Drivers’ Association (DCTDA) on Monday, September 8, prompted by two recent incidents involving drivers and passengers
Syed Miah had just stepped out of his Toyota C-HR after doing the school run in Kings Heath about 9am on Monday 8 September, when he heard curious cat noises.
The incident occurred on Monday, September 8, near the Stile Bridge pub in Marden as the taxi was returning from the school run.
Kirkcaldy taxi operators have been praised for achieving a 98% pass rate in their annual inspections, with only two vehicles initially failing the tests in July and August.
Kirklees Council is facing strong opposition from local taxi drivers over a plan to raise licensing fees to cover rising service costs and to offset a £132,000 deficit in its licensing department.
Baris Eroglu, who was previously suspended for telling a council employee to "watch [their] f***ing words," was disciplined again on public safety grounds.
The move follows a public consultation that revealed strong support for the change, with 70% of respondents in favour of the new testing.
Claire Duncan, 31, who was already on five bail orders, admitted to the attacks that occurred over a six-week period.
Good morning drivers, I have looked at all the incoming 101 & 999 reports to Avon and Somerset Police for Sunday. There were 22 reports made which mention taxis and private hire vehicles.
Uber has publicly declared "strong support" for the proposed £5 daily congestion charge in Oxford, a move that comes just months after the ride-hailing giant launched in the city.