Glasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire over five years

Glasgow City Council's expenditure on taxis and private hire vehicles has risen sharply over the past five financial years, reaching a cumulative total of more than £42.5 million, according to figures released following a Freedom of Information request. The data, shared with the LDR service, breaks down the spending by fiscal year, revealing a consistent upward trend rather than a steady state. Expenditure began at £7.4 million in 2021/22 and increased to £7.9 million in 2022/23. The rise accelerated in subsequent years, with spending reaching £7.8 million in 2023/24, £9.2 million in 2024/25, and £10.3 million in 2025/26. This trajectory indicates that the cost of this transport category is growing faster than previous years, amounting to an increase of nearly £3 million between the first and last year of the period covered. Education drives the majority of costs The bulk of this expenditure is tied to services for children and young people, specifically within the education department. Over the five-year period, £38.1 million was spent on taxis and private hire fares for education services. In the most recent year, 2025/26, this sector accounted for £8.9 million of the total spend. The preceding year, 2024/25, saw £8.3 million allocated to these fares.

Glasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire vehicles in five years, including £38.1m on education transport, an FOI reveals.

FOI figures show Glasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire vehicles over five years, including £38.1m on education services.