PHTM - The trades favourite read
Join the PHTM WhatsApp Channel Follow PHTM on Facebook
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • View the Digital Edition
    • Register for the digital edition
    • Advertising rates
    • Artwork specifications
  • PHTM EXPO 2026
    • Register now for 2026
    • PHTM Expo 2025 Recap
  • Tables
    • Hackney Taxi Fare Tables
    • No. of Taxis & PH Vehicles in England/Wales
    • No. of Taxis & PH Drivers in England/Wales
  • Trade Index
  • Contact
Cab Direct
  • Newspaper
    • Digital Issue
  • PHTM EXPO 2026
    • Register for 2026
    • Exhibitors 2026
    • PHTM EXPO 2025 RECAP
  • Tables
    • Hackney Taxi Fare Tables
    • No. of Taxis & PH Vehicles in England/Wales
    • No. of Taxis & PH Drivers in England/Wales
  • Trade Index
Posted on the 7th April 2026 in PHTM News

ADCU: PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS NEED PRIORITY FUEL ACCESS IF SHORTAGES HIT

The App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) is calling on the government to guarantee priority fuel access for private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers in the event of petrol shortages caused by global supply disruption linked to the escalating Iran conflict.

Petrol stations across the UK are already reporting supply issues, following mounting geopolitical tensions and shipping delays in the Red Sea and Gulf region.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met with energy, shipping, and financial leaders at Downing Street to discuss energy resilience and supply security. However, no organisations representing PHV drivers or frontline transport workers were included in these talks.

ADCU warns that failure to secure fuel priority for PHV drivers will have serious consequences for vulnerable passengers, disabled and elderly people, and others who rely on private hire services for essential journeys – including access to medical appointments, work, and education.

Cristina-Georgiana Ioanitescu, General Secretary of the ADCU, says: “Private hire and app-based taxi drivers are a vital part of our integrated transport system. When buses and trains are inaccessible or unavailable, we are the ones transporting carers, key workers, and people with disabilities safely to their destinations.

"If our drivers can’t fuel up, entire communities will be cut off. The government must recognise PHV drivers as essential transport workers and ensure they have priority access to fuel in any future shortage.”

ADCU is calling on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to explicitly include PHV drivers in the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F), guaranteeing them the same essential worker status and priority refuelling access as emergency services and public transport operators.

“The government’s current focus on energy companies and logistics firms is too narrow,” added Ioanitescu. “Resilience in the fuel supply chain isn’t just about refineries and tankers. It’s about ensuring the people who keep passengers moving can keep working.”

ADCU urges immediate consultation between DESNZ, the Department for Transport, and representatives of licensed drivers to agree a practical, equitable system for fuel prioritisation and communication during emergencies.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share to X

Read another story

  • TRIBUTES POUR IN AS CANNOCK TAXI FIRM MOURNS LOSS OF TWO COLLEAGUESTRIBUTES POUR IN AS CANNOCK TAXI FIRM MOURNS LOSS OF TWO COLLEAGUES

    Corkys Cars, based in Cannock, shared the news over the Easter weekend, identifying the two men as Jumbo and Darren Russell, who was affectionately known to friends and colleagues as "Jack."Read More

  • LEEDS RAPIST JAILED FOR OVER 15 YEARS AFTER TARGETING VULNERABLE WOMEN AT NIGHTLEEDS RAPIST JAILED FOR OVER 15 YEARS AFTER TARGETING VULNERABLE WOMEN AT NIGHT

    Rashid Boachie, 44, was caught after CCTV footage showed him approaching a woman during a night out in August last year. Read More

  • CAMBRIDGE CABBIES LIVE IN FEAR AS THIEVES TARGET CABSCAMBRIDGE CABBIES LIVE IN FEAR AS THIEVES TARGET CABS

    Drivers believe they are being singled out by thieves who mistakenly think there is cash left in the vehicles overnight or while they are away from their cars.Read More

  • CABBIES HIT OUT AT EXTORTIONATE NEW £10 STANSTED DROP-OFF FEECABBIES HIT OUT AT EXTORTIONATE NEW 10 STANSTED DROP OFF FEE

    Taxi drivers are accusing London Stansted Airport of "pure greed" following a sharp 40% increase in drop-off charges.Read More

  • GLASGOW TAXI DRIVER JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS FOLLOWING "DESPICABLE BETRAYAL" RAPEGLASGOW TAXI DRIVER JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS FOLLOWING DESPICABLE BETRAYAL RAPE

    Thomas Tosh, 39, attacked the woman in September 2023 after collecting her and her friends from a pub in Clydebank.Read More

  • UBER ANNOUNCES PETROL SAVINGS TO HELP DRIVERS IN USA WHAT ABOUT THEIR UK DRIVERS UBER ANNOUNCES PETROL SAVINGS TO HELP DRIVERS IN USA WHAT ABOUT THEIR UK DRIVERS

    One UK Uber driver told PHTM: "I just want my voice to be heard. Fuel prices keep rising and drivers are the ones carrying all the cost."Read More

  • SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LEAVES ROBOTAXI PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN WUHANSYSTEM MALFUNCTION LEAVES ROBOTAXI PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN WUHAN

    A massive technical failure in China has left dozens of passengers stranded in the middle of busy highways after a fleet of self-driving "robotaxis" suddenly froze.Read More

  • DARLINGTON TAXI DRIVER WARNS OF DANGER AS COUNCIL AXES "GODSEND" MARSHALSDARLINGTON TAXI DRIVER WARNS OF DANGER AS COUNCIL AXES GODSEND MARSHALS

    Gavin Ellis, 65, described the move to end the service last weekend as "short-sighted," arguing that the marshals have been essential in protecting both drivers and passengers from violence.Read More

  • DRUG-FUELLED CRIME SPREE ENDS IN NINE YEAR SENTENCE FOR STOKE KNIFEMAN WHO ROBBED CABBIEDRUG FUELLED CRIME SPREE ENDS IN NINE YEAR SENTENCE FOR STOKE KNIFEMAN WHO ROBBED CABBIE

    Joshua Woolley carried out a terrifying afternoon rampage across Stoke-on-Trent where he robbed a taxi driver, goods from a petrol station, and a shopping centre worker while armed with a blade.Read More

  • CANTERBURY TAXI CRACKDOWN SEES DRIVERS SUSPENDED AND WEAPONS SEIZEDCANTERBURY TAXI CRACKDOWN SEES DRIVERS SUSPENDED AND WEAPONS SEIZED

    On Friday, 27 March, licensing enforcement teams from Canterbury City Council and Kent Police stopped 21 drivers to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and their operations were legal.Read More

  • KENT TAXI FIRMS FLAGGED OVER £85,000 IN IRREGULAR SEND TRANSPORT CLAIMSKENT TAXI FIRMS FLAGGED OVER 85000 IN IRREGULAR SEND TRANSPORT CLAIMS

    A Kent County Council fraud report revealed the discrepancies, which involve transport services for approximately 6,000 children.Read More

  • CABBIE RECLAIMS LICENCE AFTER CONFRONTING YOUTHS IN THORNABY ROWCABBIE RECLAIMS LICENCE AFTER CONFRONTING YOUTHS IN THORNABY ROW

    The driver had his licence reinstated by Stockton Council despite a heated confrontation in Thornaby town centre, where he was seen grabbing a youth and carrying the club through a supermarket.Read More

  • BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS SLAM FILTHY TOILETS AND DIRE CONDITIONSBIRMINGHAM AIRPORT PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS SLAM FILTHY TOILETS AND DIRE CONDITIONS

    The GMB union, representing thousands of private hire drivers, is demanding immediate improvements to the "unacceptable" conditions workers face while waiting for passengers.Read More

  • GLASGOW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER BUSTED WITH £148K IN BAG FOR LIFEGLASGOW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER BUSTED WITH 148K IN BAG FOR LIFE

    Irfan Sarwar, 44, was snared during a targeted surveillance operation by the National Crime Agency in November 2021.Read More

  • DRIVERS TO SAVE UP TO £500 ON INSTALLING EV CHARGERS FROM TODAY DRIVERS TO SAVE UP TO 500 ON INSTALLING EV CHARGERS FROM TODAY

    From 1st April, renters, landlords and businesses can claim up to £500 towards an electric charger - up from £300 previously - covering around half the average cost of installation.Read More

  • ADDISON LEE APPOINTS PATRICK GALLAGHER AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADDISON LEE APPOINTS PATRICK GALLAGHER AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Addison Lee, London’s leading ground transport, taxi, and courier provider, has today announced the appointment of Patrick Gallagher as Chief Executive Officer. Patrick will succeed Liam Griffin, who will be continuing Read More

  • BRACKNELL CABBIE CONVICTED OF RAPE HAD HISTORY OF 52 POLICE ALLEGATIONSBRACKNELL CABBIE CONVICTED OF RAPE HAD HISTORY OF 52 POLICE ALLEGATIONS

    Diwan Khan, 39, whose mother Naheed Ejaz served as the town’s mayor, was found guilty of rape in February. His mother was also convicted for perverting the course of justice.Read More

  • DUNDEE CRACKS DOWN AFTER HALF OF CITY TAXIS FAIL SAFETY TESTSDUNDEE CRACKS DOWN AFTER HALF OF CITY TAXIS FAIL SAFETY TESTS

    For years, city mechanics have seen one out of every two vehicles fail to meet licensing standards, prompting local officials to demand immediate changes to how the fleet is maintained.Read More

  • SEX OFFENCES BY LICENSED DRIVERS TRIPLE IN LONDON AS PASSENGER ATTACKS RISESEX OFFENCES BY LICENSED DRIVERS TRIPLE IN LONDON AS PASSENGER ATTACKS RISE

    Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request show that the Metropolitan Police recorded 70 charges against drivers between 2023 and 2025, with annual cases jumping from 10 to 34.Read More

  • FEMALE LED MILTON KEYNES FIRM AIMS FOR EXPANSION TO TACKLE SAFETY CONCERNSFEMALE LED MILTON KEYNES FIRM AIMS FOR EXPANSION TO TACKLE SAFETY CONCERNS

    Women’s Wheelz Taxis was launched in December by former driving instructors Sharon Gorham and Chelsea Booth after they heard "horror stories" regarding women’s experiences with local transport.Read More

Load More News

    PHTM APRIL 2026

    READ | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE

    phtm digital newspaper APRIL 2026

    Follow PHTM
    LinkedIn

    phtm whatsapp channel

      • Checked Safe
      • TakeMe
      • autologica
      • hollogram
      • Patons Insurance
      • Autocab
      • taxi insurer
      • Birkdale Insurance Group
      • iCabbi
      • The Taxi Centre
      • Cab Direct
      • Taxi CCTV
      • Acorn Taxi Insurance
      • Patterson Law
      • EaziTax
PHTM • 11 Heaton Lodge • Bury Old Road
Manchester • M25 1NZ • 0161 688 7777
Join the PHTM WhatsApp Channel Follow PHTM on Facebook Follow PHTM on LinkedIn Follow PHTM on X
All content Copyright © 2026  CONTACT | ABOUT | PRIVACY
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited