TfL urged to deliver ‘a more sustainable industry’ for taxi and private hire drivers

A meeting at City Hall today [Thursday 15 May] has seen TfL criticised for not putting sustainability at the heart of their Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan.

GMB Union – the UK’s largest private hire union – is calling for measures that enhance driver earnings and safety, ensuring the wider transport network is environmentally and economically sustainable.

Among the specific measures the union is asking for is a limit on private hire vehicles to reverse a decline in drivers’ earnings.

In 2024, 55 per cent of members using driving apps claimed that their earnings were significantly lower and over 80 per cent claimed that their earnings were either the same or lower compared to 2023.

GMB also welcomes a debate on measures that can address market saturation, thereby providing fair protection for London-licenced drivers.

Mayors in Manchester and North Yorkshire have already started the debate and TfL risks getting left behind.

Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

“Further saturation of the private hire market is unsustainable; it will continue to have a negative impact on drivers and competition.

“GMB is calling on TfL to deliver a more sustainable industry for both drivers and operators – one where drivers are not forced to work longer hours just to earn a liveable income, and where their safety is not put at risk in the process."