As geopolitical tensions threaten global fuel supply chains, a leading UK transport union is urging the government to formally recognise private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers as essential workers in national emergency planning. The App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) has called for licensed PHV drivers to be granted priority fuel access, similar to emergency services and public transport, if shortages worsen due to disruptions linked to the conflict involving Iran and shipping delays in the Red Sea and Gulf region.
ADCU Demands Formal Inclusion in National Fuel Emergency Plans
The union’s intervention centres on the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F), the UK government’s framework for managing severe fuel shortages. Currently, the NEP-F provides priority refuelling arrangements for emergency services, NHS staff, and key public transport operators. ADCU argues that licensed PHV drivers, who provide a critical lifeline for millions, are conspicuously absent from these provisions.
“Private hire and app-based taxi drivers are a vital part of our integrated transport system,” states Cristina-Georgiana Ioanitescu, General Secretary of ADCU. “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 union is pressing the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, alongside the Department for Transport, to establish a clear and equitable fuel prioritisation framework for PHV operators. This includes agreed communications protocols so drivers understand how and where priority access would operate during a disruption.
Current Supply Chain Pressures and Government Gaps
The call to action follows real-world supply issues reported at some UK petrol stations, exacerbated by Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and broader instability in the Gulf. These pressures have tested the resilience of global fuel logistics, raising concerns that a prolonged crisis could cascade into the UK market.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened energy, shipping, and financial leaders at Downing Street to discuss energy resilience. ADCU highlighted a significant omission: no representatives from PHV drivers or other frontline transport workers were included. “The Government’s current focus on energy companies and logistics firms is too narrow,” Ioanitescu added. “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.”
Why PHV Services Are a Critical Transport Safety Net
The union’s argument rests on the unique role PHV services play, particularly for vulnerable and mobility-impaired passengers. For many elderly, disabled, and rural communities, as well as those travelling to essential medical appointments, workplaces, or education, PHVs are not a luxury but a primary—sometimes only—form of accessible transport.
During off-peak hours or in areas with limited scheduled public transport, taxi and PHV fleets effectively act as a flexible extension of the passenger network. A prolonged fuel shortage that sidelines these vehicles would therefore risk isolating a substantial segment of the population, undermining both social inclusion and access to healthcare.
Broader Implications for Transport Resilience
ADCU’s request extends beyond immediate operational concerns for drivers. It touches on a wider systemic vulnerability: the lack of a cohesive, cross-sectoral approach to fuel security that accounts for all essential passenger transport.
While the government’s emergency planning robustly covers rail, bus, and emergency fleets, the
Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk
