Southampton Maintains Taxi Cap at 283 Amid Evidence of Stable Demand
Southampton City Council has voted to retain the existing statutory limit of 283 hackney carriages (commonly known as taxis or black cabs) operating within the city. This decision upholds a long-standing regulatory cap designed to manage the size of the licensed taxi fleet.
The vote followed the publication of an independent survey, commissioned by the council, which concluded there is currently no demonstrable evidence of “unmet demand” for taxi services from the public. This data formed the primary basis for councillors rejecting proposals to increase the number of licensed vehicles.
Industry Welcomes Decision, Citing Existing Pressures
The decision has been met with relief by many licensed taxi drivers and their representatives, who argue the existing fleet already faces significant operational challenges, particularly a chronic shortage of space at designated taxi ranks.
Perry McMillan, a regional representative for the Unite the Union, stated officials “saw sense” in maintaining the cap. “The survey showed there was no unmet demand and I am just pleased councillors saw sense to keep it at that because we are struggling out here with not enough room on the ranks and the last thing we need is more taxis piling up,” Mr. McMillan said.
He elaborated that the lack of rank capacity forces drivers to spend considerable time driving without passengers, as available spaces are consistently occupied. “Drivers are often forced to drive around aimlessly because existing ranks are already ‘full up with cars’,” he noted, highlighting the economic pressure this creates.
Accessibility Gap Remains a Key Concern
Russell Hawkins, the council’s Licensing Service Manager, had warned the Licensing Committee that lifting the cap without evidence of need would likely cause “quite a lot of ill feeling” within the established trade. His submission reinforced that the quantitative data did not support an increase.
However, the meeting also underscored a separate, critical issue: wheelchair accessibility. Councillor Sue Blatchford pointed out that despite Southampton’s policy requiring all new taxi licenses to be for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, only approximately 70 of the 283 licensed hackney carriages currently meet this standard. This leaves a significant gap for residents with mobility needs who may struggle to find a suitable vehicle at ranks.
Future Policy Shifts Loom with Potential 2028 Reorganisation
While the immediate cap remains, the city’s broader taxi licensing policy is set for potential fundamental change. The committee noted that structural reforms to local government, including possible mergers or combined authorities, could necessitate a complete overhaul of Southampton’s taxi policy framework by 2028.
In anticipation of such regional shifts, the committee has formally urged council officers to initiate discussions with neighbouring local authorities. The goal is to explore coordinated, cross-boundary licensing strategies that could create a more harmonised approach to hackney carriage regulation across the wider Southampton city region in the future.
Image Credit: www.phtm.co.uk
