Three Glasgow private hire car drivers who applied to operate their own vehicle throughout the city have had their bids rejected because of the council’s overprovision policy. 

The policy, which was introduced in 2019 to try and help cut emissions, doesn’t allow more than 3,450 private hire car licences to operate in Glasgow at one time.

Mahid Tariq, Khalid Mohamed Ali and MD Robiul Islam each appeared separately before the licensing committee on Thursday morning to present their cases on why they should be awarded a licence.

Mr Tariq claimed that being able to work as a private hire car driver would help him and his family deal with their financial woes. 

He said: “This would help me to secure more income as my family is going through financial difficulty.

“Through the granting of this licence, I would be able to avoid renting a car which is a further financial change and is something I would be doing alongside my other work. 

“I already work 70 hours a week and already do deliveries. I would replace that with private hire car driving and was awarded a licence with Glasgow City Council earlier this year around March.

“My intention is to use this licence and have worked for other councils but they are not as satisfying.

“For me, this would greatly help with the financial stress.”

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Chairman, councillor Alex Wilson advised: “When we award a licence we expect them to be used straight away, not lie in a drawer for months.”

Applicant: “I can assure you I will be using the licence if it is granted to me.” Khalid Mohamed Ali had also applied for a licence to operate his own vehicle.

"Mr Ali said he had been granted a private hire licence last year but didn’t use it."

Councillor Wilson said: “When we grant a licence we expect them to be used. If you aren’t going to use it then give it back. 

“I would like to fly an aeroplane but I don’t do it. You would like to be a private hire car driver but you don’t do it.”

MD Robiul Islam told the committee how his wife had health problems and that working as a driver would help him navigate a work-life balance. 

He said: “My wife has health problems. This would allow me to spend more time with her and the children. I stay in Glasgow and this would allow me to work here.

“I have a licence from Glasgow City Council which I was awarded three months ago.”