Key Points
- Glasgow City Council spent a total of £42.5 million on taxis and private hire vehicles over the past five financial years.
- Expenditure consistently rose annually, from £7.4 million in 2021/22 to £10.3 million in 2025/26.
- Educational services accounted for the majority of the expenditure, totaling £38.1 million over the five-year period.
- Taxi costs for elected members grew from £954.17 in 2021/22 to £3,598.43 in 2025/26, with the average journey in the final year costing £18.55.
- Councillor Paul Carey BEM questioned the spending during a period when Audit Scotland projected a budget shortfall of at least £110 million for the local authority between 2026/27 and 2027/28.
- Glasgow City Council confirmed that steps are being taken to teach independent travel skills to young people with Additional Support for Learning (ASL) where appropriate.
Glasgow Council (Glasgow Express) October 21, 2026 – Data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) by reporter Catherine Hunter reveals that the local authority expended £42.5 million on private hires and taxis between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years. The total spent in 2021/22 stood at £7.4 million, before rising to £7.9 million in 2022/23. In 2023/24, the council recorded an expenditure of £7.8 million, followed by £9.2 million in 2024/25, and culminating in £10.3 million during the 2025/26 financial period.
How Was the Transport Spending Distributed Across Local Services?
The Freedom of Information request disclosed that education services comprised the largest proportion of total expenditure. Over the five-year timeframe, Glasgow City Council allocated £38.1 million to taxis and private hire fares within its education division. Annual figures indicate that transport spending within education rose from previous years to reach £8.3 million in 2024/25 and £8.9 million in 2025/26.
In addition to overall service transport costs, the data outlined the expenditure incurred by elected council members. Taxi expenses for councillors amounted to £954.17 in 2021/22, rising to £2,110.33 in 2022/23, and reaching £3,229.44 in 2023/24. Councillor travel costs continued upward to £3,403.46 in 2024/25 and £3,598.43 in 2025/26. Figures supplied by the council showed that the average councillor taxi journey cost £18.55 during the 2025/26 period.
What Reaction Has the Transport Expenditure Received?
Addressing the disclosures, Councillor Paul Carey BEM stated that public money required strict oversight across all council departments.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of the LDR Service, Councillor Paul Carey BEM stated:
“Every pound of public money should be spent carefully. People will understandably question why thousands of pounds are being spent on taxi journeys when essential services are under pressure and savings are being demanded elsewhere.”
Councillor Carey elaborated on the specific circumstances surrounding council transport requirements, identifying where transport provision remains necessary.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of the LDR Service, Councillor Paul Carey BEM stated:
“Let me be clear: there will be circumstances where taxis are necessary. Some residents depend on accessible transport, while certain council services may need taxis to carry out essential work. These journeys must be considered fairly and responsibly.”
Councillor Carey further addressed the requirement for monitoring public spending within the local authority framework.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of the LDR Service, Councillor Paul Carey BEM stated:
“But the public has every right to ask whether the council is getting value for money, whether cheaper alternatives are available and whether spending is being properly monitored.”
Referring to wider council budget pressures, Councillor Carey emphasized the need for financial scrutiny.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of the LDR Service, Councillor Paul Carey BEM stated:
“If the council is asking departments to make savings, residents deserve to know that the same level of scrutiny is being applied to taxi expenditure. We cannot expect the public to accept cuts to services without first demonstrating that existing money is being used as effectively as possible.”
In response to queries regarding educational transport expenditure, Glasgow City Council confirmed that measures are actively being implemented to lower transport dependence for certain groups where feasible.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of the LDR Service, a spokesperson for Glasgow City Council stated:
“Officers will continue to explore options, where appropriate, to introduce independent travel to those young people who could benefit from such initiatives and recently won a national transport award, as well as exploring cost effective alternatives considering rising transport costs.”
Background of the particular development
The figures disclosed by the Freedom of Information request arrive amidst persistent financial challenges facing local government bodies in Scotland. In September 2026, Audit Scotland published a financial assessment indicating that Glasgow City Council faces a projected budget gap of at least £110 million spanning the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial periods.
Local authorities across the United Kingdom maintain statutory duties to provide suitable transport for pupils with specialized needs, including children requiring Additional Support for Learning (ASL). When local authority fleets or public transit systems cannot accommodate specific medical, physical, or educational requirements, councils contract external transport providers, including private hire taxi companies. The steady rise in overall figures reflects cumulative inflationary cost pressures across the UK transport sector, alongside increased demand for specialized transport arrangements within primary and secondary education.
Prediction
This development is likely to impact several key stakeholder groups across Glasgow, including local taxpayers, council service users, and transport operators:
- Glasgow Taxpayers and Council Residents: As Glasgow City Council addresses the projected £110 million shortfall highlighted by Audit Scotland, public scrutiny surrounding non-essential spend will likely intensify. Residents facing potential service reductions or council tax adjustments may increase pressure on local representatives to audit administrative expenses, councillor travel allowances, and external contractor rates.
- Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Families and Students: The expansion of independent travel training initiatives for ASL pupils indicates a gradual shift toward reducing reliance on private taxis. While independent travel training can offer greater autonomy for young people, families relying on municipal transport will closely monitor changes to ensure that service modifications do not compromise accessibility, safety, or convenience for students who cannot utilize public transit.
- Private Hire and Taxi Contractors: Local taxi and private hire companies that rely on municipal contracts for stable revenue may experience shifts in procurement strategies. If the council enforces tighter transport spending controls, renegotiates terms, or successfully reduces passenger numbers via independent travel schemes, private operators may face reduced contract volumes or revised tendering criteria in upcoming fiscal cycles.
