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Private operators drive growth in London's licensed hire vehicles Private operators drive growth in London’s licensed hire vehicles
(about 2 hours later)
The number of licensed taxi and private vehicles on English streets has increased to a record high of 242,200, up 9.3% since 2013. The rise has been driven by an increase in private-hire vehicles such as those used by drivers of the Uber service. The number of licensed taxi and private vehicles on English streets has reached a record high of 242,200, up 9.3% since 2013. The rise has been driven by an increase in private hire vehicles such as those used by drivers of the Uber service.
The trend has been particularly acute in London where there are now 85,300 licensed vehicles, an 18.4% rise since 2013 according to the Department for Transport figures. The trend has been particularly acute in London where there are now 85,300 licensed vehicles, an 18.4% rise since 2013, according to the Department for Transport figures.
Since 2013 the number of PHVs on the streets of the capital has increased by 25.9% and now totals 62,800. By comparison, over the same period of time, the number of taxis only rose by 1.5% to 22,500.Since 2013 the number of PHVs on the streets of the capital has increased by 25.9% and now totals 62,800. By comparison, over the same period of time, the number of taxis only rose by 1.5% to 22,500.
Services such as Uber, which launched in 2012, have drawn protests from representatives of black cab drivers who say the app’s ability to calculate fares based on distance or time travelled effectively means it functions as a taximeter, which should technically only be allowed in traditional taxis – also known as “hackney carriages”. Services such as Uber, which launched in 2012, have drawn protests from representatives of black-cab drivers who say the app’s ability to calculate fares based on distance or time travelled means it effectively functions as a taximeter, which are only allowed in traditional taxis – also known as hackney carriages.
Uber has 15,000 drivers in London but Uber’s CEO, Travis Kalanick, hopes to increase that to 42,000 by March 2016 - which, as an illustrative point, would amount to more than half of PHV licenses based on today’s figures. However, this also includes hundreds of black cab drivers using the UberTaxi service according to the company. Uber has 15,000 drivers in London but Uber’s CEO, Travis Kalanick, hopes to increase that to 42,000 by March 2016 – which, as an illustrative point, would amount to more than half of PHV licences based on today’s figures. However, this also includes hundreds of black-cab drivers using the UberTaxi service, according to the company.
This suggests that the number of Uber drivers may soon overtake the number in the city’s official taxi service, which has already happened in New York. However, it should be noted that the number of PHV drivers outnumbering those in hackney carriages is not a new trend. This suggests that the number of Uber drivers may soon overtake the number in the city’s official taxi service, which has already happened in New York. However, it should be noted that PHV drivers outnumbering those in hackney carriages is not a new trend.
Both taxis and PHVs require a licence for both the driver and the vehicle. In total there were 297,600 licensed drivers in England with 103,900 (35%) of those operating in London. About three-quarters of the licensed drivers in the capital are for PHVs compared to 25,200 taxi-only drivers. Taxis and PHVs require a licence for both the driver and the vehicle. In total there were 297,600 licensed drivers in England with 103,900 (35%) of those operating in London. About three-quarters of the licensed drivers in the capital are for PHVs, compared with 25,200 taxi-only drivers.
An Uber spokesperson said: “The rise in the number of private hire licenses really highlights the consumer demand for a convenient, cost-effective way to get about town. Uber operates all over London and is seeing growth in areas that are traditionally underserved by taxi and public transport options. Uber partner-drivers make up less than 20% of the private-hire market.” An Uber spokesperson said: “The rise in the number of private hire licences really highlights the consumer demand for a convenient, cost-effective way to get about town. Uber operates all over London and is seeing growth in areas that are traditionally underserved by taxi and public transport options. Uber partner-drivers make up less than 20% of the private-hire market.”
Taxis are defined in the statistics as cars available for immediate hire which can be hailed on the street, while PHVs must be pre-booked and cannot use taxi ranks. The government figures do not show which apps – if any – the drivers are using. The DfT started collecting figures in 2005. Taxis are defined in the statistics as cars available for immediate hire which can be hailed on the street, while PHVs must be booked and cannot use taxi ranks. The government figures do not show which apps – if any – the drivers are using. The DfT started collecting figures in 2005.