Borough faces a dire shortage of taxi drivers

SEFTON is facing a taxi shortage after a new report detailed the huge fall in licensed taxi drivers since Covid.

Analysis of the taxi industry within Sefton revealed a startling 19.5% decrease in licensed drivers and a 12.9% drop in active hackney carriage vehicles since 2020.

The decline in numbers is so severe, current vehicle owners are unable to find enough drivers to operate the licensed taxi across Sefton.

The report into taxi issues was heard at an Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at Southport Town Hall. Elected representatives were in attendance to explore a number of issues relating to taxis in the borough including how black hackney cabs could be encouraged 271 within the Sefton area. The report examined the current state of taxi services in the borough including current numbers, levels of demand and pressures on the trade.

Since 2020 active hackney carriage vehicles has fallen from 271 to 236 whilst available licensed drivers has dropped from 330 to

266.

The report states: “Since the 2020 pandemic, hackney carriage driver numbers have steadily reduced leading to vehicle owners being unable to find enough drivers to drive the 271 licensed vehicles.”

The overview and scrutiny committee also heard some of the reasons for the decline which included rising costs of fuel and insurance. Significantly, it was reported some drivers felt a ‘perceived decline in demand for late night journeys’ was negatively impacting the profession due to decreased earnings. Another factor cited by the report was the effect of private hire firms. It said: “Many hackney drivers now accept journeys via private hire operators which will likely mean that they could be working anywhere in the LCR and not within Sefton.

“Despite a recent rise in hackney carriage tariffs (October 2023) which are regulated by the Council, private hire operator fares are unregulated and many drivers are finding income via this method more attractive especially when fare ‘multipliers’ are applied during busy periods.”

This year will see a new Unmet Demand Survey launched across Sefton.

These surveys are conducted at intervals of 4-5 years and are designed to give a snapshot of the taxi industry in the borough.

The 2024 survey will consult with taxi drivers, vehicle owners, users, business owners and trade representatives and assess rank activity throughout Sefton and aims to facilitate a better understanding of the pressures taxi drivers are facing and possible solutions.