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Taxi Statistics UK
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Taxi Statistics UK
Since 2005, the number of taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV’s) on the road in the UK has increased by nearly 90%. Powered in part by the rise of cab-hailing apps like Uber, there are now more vehicles carrying paying passengers than at any other time in British history.
We’ve analyzed the past 15 years worth of data from the Office of National Statistics to see how the market has evolved, breaking down vehicle types and driver licencing both nationally and regionally.
- How many taxis are there in England?
- How many taxis are there in London?
- Number of black cabs by make and model
- Number of taxis by region
- Which regions of the UK have the highest concentration of taxis?
- How many taxi drivers are there in England?
- How many taxi drivers are there in London?
- How many accidents do London taxis have?
- What type of licences do drivers in England and Wales hold?
Number of Taxis in England
In 2020, there were 298,800 total taxis and PHV’s licenced to operate in England. This represents a roughly 60% increase in the numbers licenced since 2005. While PHV licencing has continued to accelerate (growing by nearly 30,000 between 2017 and 2020), driven by the growth of companies like Uber and Bolt, taxi licencing has actually started to show a decline, down nearly 7,000 since 2017.
| Year | Taxis | PHV’s | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 64,200 | 120,400 | 184,500 |
| 2007 | 68,900 | 129,300 | 198,200 |
| 2009 | 71,100 | 146,200 | 217,300 |
| 2011 | 73,000 | 150,000 | 223,000 |
| 2013 | 76,600 | 141,800 | 218,300 |
| 2015 | 79,500 | 158,300 | 237,800 |
| 2017 | 75,400 | 202,300 | 277,700 |
| 2018 | 72,800 | 211,900 | 284,700 |
| 2019 | 70,600 | 221,400 | 292,000 |
| 2020 | 67,900 | 230,900 | 298,800 |
The relative difference between the growth in registered taxis and PHV's is even more stark when you compare their rate of growth—it doesn't look like we are too far from seeing the number of taxis on the road lower than their 2005 level, as private hire apps continue to sweep up the market offering convenience, price transparency and quick pick-ups.
| Year | Taxi % change since 2005 | PHV’s % change since 2005 | Total % change since 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +7.32% | +7.39% | +7.43% |
| 2009 | +10.75% | +21.43% | +17.78% |
| 2011 | +13.71% | +24.58% | +20.87% |
| 2013 | +19.31% | +17.77% | +18.32% |
| 2015 | +23.83% | +31.48% | +28.89% |
| 2017 | 17.45% | +68.02% | +50.51% |
| 2018 | +13.40% | +76.00% | +54.31% |
| 2019 | +9.97% | +83.89% | +58.27% |
| 2020 | +5.76% | +91.78% | +61.95% |
Number of Taxis in London
There were around 114,900 taxis and private hire vehicles in London. This is almost a 90% increase in total numbers since 2005. Like the rest of the country, PHV licencing has continued to grow rapidly—adding over 33,000 licenced PHV’s since 2015.
Taxi licencing, however, has shown rapid signs of decline, down 3,500 in the last 5 years. There’s no doubt that the growing popularity of ride-sharing apps has put the squeeze on black cab drivers.
| Year | Taxis | PHV’s | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 20,800 | 40,000 | 60,800 |
| 2007 | 21,600 | 44,400 | 66,000 |
| 2009 | 22,300 | 49,300 | 71,600 |
| 2011 | 22,600 | 50,700 | 73,200 |
| 2013 | 22,200 | 49,900 | 72,000 |
| 2015 | 22,500 | 62,800 | 85,300 |
| 2017 | 21,300 | 87,800 | 109,100 |
| 2018 | 21,000 | 88,400 | 109,400 |
| 2019 | 20,100 | 88,100 | 108,200 |
| 2020 | 19,000 | 96,000 | 114,900 |
It's probably fair to say that London has led the UK-wide trend in the declining popularity of taxis, with a number of popular taxi and ride-sharing apps available to residents.
| Year | Taxi % change since 2005 | PHV’s % change since 2005 | Total % change since 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +3.85% | +10.90% | +8.55% |
| 2009 | +7.21% | +23.30% | +17.76% |
| 2011 | +8.65% | +26.65% | +20.39% |
| 2013 | +6.73% | +24.63% | +18.42% |
| 2015 | +8.17% | +56.88% | +40.30% |
| 2017 | +2.40% | +119.50% | +79.44% |
| 2018 | +0.96% | +121.00% | +79.93% |
| 2019 | -3.37% | +120.25% | +77.96% |
| 2020 | -8.65% | +140.00% | +88.98% |
Number of Black Cabs
The TX4 is the most popular black cab in the UK. As of September 2020, 54% of black cabs are the TX4 model, numbering 11,697. Next most numerous are LEVC, with 4,008 registered, accounting for 19% of black cabs. 10% of black cabs are the Mercedes Vito. Fewer than 100 Metrocabs are still in operation.
| Types of Black Cabs in the UK | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| TX4 | 11,697 | 54% |
| LEVC | 4,008 | 19% |
| TXII | 2,687 | 12% |
| Mercedes Vito | 2,067 | 10% |
| TX1 | 992 | 5% |
| Metrocab | 96 | 0% |
| Total | 21,591 | 100% |
How many taxis are there in each region of England?
Wheelchair Accessible
London is by far and away England’s leader in wheelchair accessibility, with local licencing authority Transport for London mandating that all taxis must be wheelchair accessible. PHV’s, popular with lift-hailing app drivers, lag behind considerably—probably as most PHV vehicles are non-modified road vehicles, like a Toyota Prius or Vauxhall Insignia.
| Region | Wheelchair Accessible Taxis | Wheelchair Accessible PHV’s | Total Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | 1,000 | 200 | 1,200 |
| North West | 5,100 | 500 | 5,600 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 1,800 | 600 | 2,400 |
| East Midlands | 1,800 | 400 | 2,200 |
| West Midlands | 3,800 | 400 | 4,200 |
| East | 2,100 | 600 | 2,700 |
| London | 19,000 | 600 | 19,500 |
| South East | 2,700 | 1,000 | 3,600 |
| South West | 1,600 | 400 | 2,100 |
| England | 38,900 | 4,700 | 43,600 |
Total Taxis/Vehicles
Unsurprisingly, London again leads the way, with well over double the number of taxis and triple the number of PHV’s as the next closest regions. The North East has under 10% of the total number of taxis and PHV’s, which speaks to the capital’s affinity for fast and convenient transport.
| Region | Total Taxis | Total PHV’s | Total Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | 4,000 | 6,700 | 10,700 |
| North West | 8,100 | 29,100 | 37,200 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 3,700 | 19,200 | 22,900 |
| East Midlands | 5,200 | 8,400 | 13,600 |
| West Midlands | 5,500 | 26,900 | 32,400 |
| East | 6,700 | 13,800 | 20,500 |
| London | 19,000 | 96,000 | 114,900 |
| South East | 9,900 | 20,500 | 30,300 |
| South West | 5,900 | 10,500 | 16,300 |
| England | 67,900 | 230,900 | 298,800 |
Which regions of the UK have the highest concentration of taxis?
London, once again, has comfortably the UK’s highest concentration of taxis and private hire vehicles, with over double the number per 1000 people of the national average. The East Midlands has England’s lowest concentration of cabs and PHV’s—under 3 vehicles per 1000 people.
| Region | Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (per 1000 people) | Taxis (per 1000 people) | Wheelchair Accessible PHVs (per 1000 people) | PHVs (per 1000 people) | Total (per 1000 people) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East | 400 | 1,500 | 100 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
| North West | 700 | 1,100 | 100 | 4,000 | 5,100 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 300 | 700 | 100 | 500 | 4,200 |
| East Midlands | 400 | 1,100 | 100 | 1,700 | 2,800 |
| West Midlands | 600 | 900 | 100 | 4,500 | 5,500 |
| East | 300 | 1,100 | 100 | 2,200 | 3,300 |
| London | 2,100 | 2,100 | 100 | 10,700 | 12,800 |
| South East | 300 | 1,100 | 100 | 2,200 | 3,300 |
| South West | 300 | 1,000 | 100 | 1,900 | 2,900 |
| Wales | 400 | 1,600 | 100 | 1,700 | 3,200 |
| England | 700 | 1,200 | 100 | 4,100 | 5,300 |
How many taxi drivers are there in England
There are around 365,000 licenced taxi and private hire drivers in England as of 2020. This is made up of roughly 130,000 taxi drivers and 315,000 PHV drivers (keep in mind that some licensing authorities allow drivers to hold both, or offer combined licences). This represents over a 50% increase in the number of registered drivers since 2005.
| Year | Taxi Licences | PHV Licences | Total Licences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 119,600 | 173,300 | 242,100 |
| 2007 | 125,600 | 182,600 | 252,200 |
| 2009 | 126,000 | 206,400 | 273,400 |
| 2011 | 132,500 | 221,100 | 286,700 |
| 2013 | 131,700 | 223,700 | 285,800 |
| 2015 | 133,600 | 235,700 | 297,200 |
| 2017 | 138,900 | 295,800 | 356,000 |
| 2018 | 137,900 | 303,800 | 361,400 |
| 2019 | 135,800 | 309,100 | 362,700 |
| 2020 | 131,400 | 315,000 | 364,900 |
How many taxi drivers are there in London?
There are just under 135,000 licenced taxi and PHV drivers in London. This is made up of roughly 22,400 taxi drivers and 111,600 PHV drivers. Unlike other licencing authorities, Transport for London requires drivers to obtain separate licences for each, meaning a PHV driver couldn’t just step behind the wheel of a traditional black cab.
| Year | Taxi Licences | PHV Licences | Total Licences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 24,900 | 40,000 | 64,900 |
| 2007 | 24,600 | 38,000 | 62,600 |
| 2009 | 24,800 | 55,800 | 80,500 |
| 2011 | 25,100 | 61,200 | 86,300 |
| 2013 | 25,500 | 67,000 | 92,400 |
| 2015 | 25,200 | 78,700 | 103,900 |
| 2017 | 24,500 | 117,700 | 142,200 |
| 2018 | 23,800 | 113,600 | 137,500 |
| 2019 | 23,200 | 106,800 | 129,900 |
| 2020 | 22,400 | 111,600 | 134,000 |
How many accidents to London taxis have per year?
Between 2017 and 2019, London-based taxi and PHV drivers were involved in an average of 1200 slight accidents, 54 serious accidents and 1-2 fatal accidents. Given that there was an average of around 135,000 licenced drivers in London each year over this period, London-based taxi/PHV drivers average around 9 incidents per 1,000 licenced drivers.
According to Transport for London, there are around 2,600,000 cars registered to London-based drivers. In 2019, as an example, there was just under 11,500 car-related casualties, giving London-based car drivers an incident rate of roughly 4.5 incidents per 1,000 registered cars—under half that of taxi drivers.
| Year | Slight | Serious | Fatal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 859 | 45 | 0 |
| 2018 | 911 | 44 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1827 | 74 | 2 |
What type of licences do drivers in England and Wales hold?
Many drivers outside of the capital are able to hold dual licences, allowing them to drive both taxis and PHV’s in return for payment. Unlike other regions, drivers in London are unable to hold licences for both, so must choose one or the other depending on their choice of vehicle.
| Region | Taxi Only | PHV Only | Dual Licence | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 22,400 | 111,600 | 0.0 | 134,000 |
| England outside London | 27,500 | 121,900 | 79,000 | 230,900 |
| England | 39,900 | 233,500 | 79,000 | 364,900 |
| Wales | 300 | 1,800 | 9,800 | 12,000 |
