Taxis in St Andrews: What are the experiences and challenges faced by local taxi drivers in an increasingly competitive transportation market?
December 2024
Authors: Edwin Brattselius-Thunfors, Michelle Berkovich, Maia Gubitz, Catriona Hall, Jean-luc Marchand
Junior Editor: Sofiia Yevmenkina
Deputy Editor: Grace Risucci
Editor-in-Chief: Cadence Mak
Executive Summary
The transportation market in St Andrews, Scotland, combines traditional and modern systems to create a unique blend. With its unique and constantly fluctuating demographics, the business is constantly changing as students, golfers and tourists are constantly coming and going. Furthermore, the local population is changing too, allowing for even more changes in the transportation market. Local taxi companies face increasing competition from independent drivers, public buses, and the potential emergence of ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt.
Key Findings
A significant increase in unlicensed and self-employed drivers has disrupted the local taxi industry, leading to concerns about overcharging, regulatory non-compliance, and reputational harm to the market.
While these platforms are currently absent in St Andrews due to regulatory restrictions, their potential entry could introduce severe pricing competition and technological advancements that local operators may struggle to match.
Subsidized and widely used by students, Stagecoach buses present an affordable alternative, capturing a large segment of cost-sensitive customers.
Seasonal demand trends further complicate the market, with peak activity during the university term and golfing season contrasting sharply with the winter lull.
Declining demand, exacerbated by negative customer experiences and alternative transport options, underscores the challenges for the local taxi industry.
Recommendations
This study concludes with a call for regulatory intervention and strategic adaptation by local taxi companies to sustain their relevance in a competitive market. Local authorities should implement stricter regulations and enforce compliance to ensure all drivers operate under similar standards. This could include requiring all drivers to register with the council and display official badges. Furthermore, standard communication about existing regulations to both drivers and consumers would create more transparency in places that currently lack it. And finally, it is important that St. Andrews advocates for policy decisions that maintain a balanced, competitive local market, emphasizing local economic benefits and employment sustainability.