Posted on the 9th January 2026 in PHTM News
SEAGULLING SURGE: EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER SLAMS ENFORCEMENT FAILURE OVER ILLEGAL PICK UPS
Tensions are rising on the streets of the capital as black cab drivers accuse city officials and police of turning a blind eye to private hire vehicles illegally plying for hire.
Keith Auld, a taxi driver and Unite trade union representative, has sounded the alarm over the practice known as “seagulling,” where private hire drivers pick up passengers directly from the street. The issue is reportedly most rampant on Market Street, adjacent to Waverley Station.
In a formal letter to Police Scotland, Mr. Auld described the situation as a “serious and growing problem” that has become “widespread and highly visible.”
He warned that the congestion caused by these vehicles is creating a “hazardous environment” for the public. “I am seeking meaningful stakeholder engagement to address what is, at its core, a significant public safety and licensing failure,” Auld stated.
“My colleagues feel greatly let down by the lack of meaningful enforcement and police engagement.”
The frustration is shared by the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA). Stewart Livingston, convener of the SPHA Edinburgh branch, agreed that standards have slipped due to a lack of fear of repercussions.
Both sides of the trade have united in criticising a recent one-week suspension handed to a PHV driver caught picking up a passenger without a booking.
Mr. Livingston labelled the punishment “pathetic” and “ridiculous,” arguing that the driver “should have lost his licence right away.” “The punishment coming for serious breaches of licence conditions is crazy,” Livingston said. “It all comes down to the council upholding standards in Edinburgh.”
While acknowledging the need for enforcement, Mr. Livingston challenged the taxi trade to provide harder proof of the "seagulling" claims.
“Every single driver has a smart phone... these accusations have been going round for a long time, and very little to no evidence has been shown,” he noted, suggesting that many PHVs are simply waiting for legitimate app-based bookings.
City authorities insist they are monitoring the situation. Licensing Sub-Committee Convener, Councillor Joanna Mowat, stated that the council expects “everyone to follow the rules” and will pursue enforcement where appropriate.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson confirmed that Police Scotland has received the complaints, adding: “Public safety is our priority... any individual cases highlighted will be investigated and reported.”
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