Edinburgh Council considering plan to allow private hire drivers to use bus lanes and gates

Edinburgh councillors are set to consider allowing private hire drivers to use bus lanes and some bus gates across the city.

A report before the city’s transport meeting next Thursday is asking councillors for a decision on whether to give rideshare and other private hire drivers the green light.

Council officers are recommending that any decision on allowing a change in use for bus lanes be delayed until several city centre mobility projects and traffic studies are completed.

But they are asking for permission to review all current bus gates in the city to determine where it may be appropriate to open them up to private hire cars.

Labour councillor and transport convener Stephen Jenkinson said he expected differing opinions on the proposals – but that he was opposed to bus lanes being opened up.

He said: “My opinion is that it should be maintained and upheld, and that the current restrictions should continue.

“We have been asked multiple times by the industry to change the policy, we’ve held firm on that as a committee, as a council under various administrations.

“If you’ve got a bus priority measure, and you’re really pushing for people to use and see bus as an option for them to get around – I think that would negate the use of it in the first place.”

He also said officers had spent time speaking with the private hire, black cab and public transport industries, along with other stakeholders, in compiling the report.

Speaking on the proposals for changes to bus gates, he said it could be valuable to explore how they could be ‘more efficiently’ used in order to help private hire and taxi drivers.

Currently, most Edinburgh bus gates are closed to black cabs, and all are shut to private hires.

The report said that the council has maintained a long-standing policy of keeping private hire cars out of bus lanes since at least the 1990s.

It added that bus operators had said they were concerned about possible increases in journey times and additional queuing at junctions if bus lanes were opened to private hires.

And it also said that cycling advocates were opposed to the proposal over safety concerns, as bikes can currently use bus lanes in Edinburgh.

But, it said that the private hire industry felt that the ability of taxis to use bus lanes created an unfair operating environment, and causes higher fares due to traffic delays.

Additionally, it says that it is ‘recognised’ that private hire cars can provide travel options for city residents who are unable to use the bus.

It added that increased use of private hire cars – though it could reduce bus use and increase road miles travelled – may help the nighttime economy.

On bus gates, the report said that opening them to private hires could help them as they take on a wider role in the city.

It noted that a proposed bus gate on Market Street is set to include a trial of allowing private hire cars access.

And it added that the bus gates as part of the George Street renewal programme are set to allow private hires at certain times – though this is still awaiting approval.