Glasgow Council spent £42.5m on taxis in five years

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

Glasgow City Council spent more than £42.5 million on taxis and private hire vehicles over the last five financial years, new figures from a Freedom of Information Request reveal. Of this total, £38.1 million was spent on taxis and private hire fares in education services. Spending increased steadily across the period, from £7.4 million in 2021/22 to £10.3 million in 2025/26. Elected members' taxi expenditure also rose, from £954.17 in 2021/22 to £3,598.43 in 2025/26, with an average journey costing £18.55 in the latest year.

Councillor Paul Carey BEM acknowledged that taxis were sometimes necessary, particularly for residents requiring accessible transport and for certain council services. However, he said people would understandably question the spending when essential services were under pressure and savings were being demanded elsewhere. He called for scrutiny of whether the council was getting value for money and whether cheaper alternatives were available.

The council stated that where appropriate, steps were being taken to teach independent travel skills to young people with additional support for learning needs. The figures emerge as Audit Scotland reported in September 2026 that Glasgow faces a budget gap of at least £110 million between 2026/27 and 2027/28.

How it is being reported

• Glasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire vehicles in five yearsGlasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire vehicles in five years, including £38.1m on education transport, an FOI reveals.The Herald · 16 Oct, 15:25
• Glasgow City Council spent more than £42.5m on taxis in last five yearsFOI figures show Glasgow City Council spent £42.5m on taxis and private hire vehicles over five years, including £38.1m on education services.Glasgow Times · 16 Oct, 14:56
• Council spends millions of pounds on taxi and private hire fares, new figures revealThe FOI demonstrates that a total of £38.1 million has been spent on taxis and private hire fares in education services over the past five years.Glasgow Live · 16 Oct, 13:26

In this story: Glasgow City Council · Paul Carey · Glasgow · Audit Scotland

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