Cap app driver numbers 'to protect black cabs'

"London has too many private hire vehicles doing too few trips, adding to congestion and pushing down driver pay, politicians have said. The London Assembly's transport committee has added at the same time the number of black cab drivers has fallen by a third in 10 years. Elly Baker, the Labour Assembly Member who chairs the group, said the advent of taxi apps had led to "extreme competition for fares" so required radical intervention by the government and Transport for London (TfL)."

"TfL said London's taxi trade and private hire industry was "crucial to the success of the capital's transport network" and the government said it was aware of these concerns and was considering all options. There are more than 106,000 private hire drivers licensed by TfL to work in London, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. There are also private hire drivers who are licensed outside of London but work predominantly in the capital. Ms Baker said ministers had not addressed this issue "urgently" enough."

"She said: "As drivers work longer hours to make up their pay, this leads to driver fatigue and raises questions around road safety. "London is often seen as world-leading when it comes to transport systems. "Yet, if we continue to lack the regulatory powers other cities have, we risk attracting bad actors who can exploit drivers and jeopardise the safety of Londoners.""

Excess supply of private hire vehicles in London produces many short or empty journeys, increases congestion and depresses driver earnings. The number of licensed private hire drivers in London exceeds 106,000, with additional drivers licensed outside London working predominantly in the capital. Licensed black cabs fell from 22,810 in 2014 to 14,800 in 2024. Taxi apps have intensified competition for fares, prompting longer driver hours, fatigue and heightened road safety concerns. Proposals include a cap on private hire licences and specific targets to increase black cab numbers. Regulatory limitations risk enabling exploitation of drivers and compromising passenger safety.

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