Joint ESRC/Department for Transport Collaborative PhD Studentship inEconomics

The Labour Supply of Taxi Cab Drivers, Implications for Regulation andCongestion

This project aims to analyse the labour supply behaviour of taxi driversworking in a large city. One objective will be to examine in detailwhether drivers follow a target income type rule in deciding their workhours or whether they follow work patterns which are consistent with theintertemporal labour supply hypothesis and work longer when wages arehigh (when fares are more readily available) and conversely fewer hourswhen wages are low.

It is intended that the analysis will use two approaches, firstly fielddata comprising computer records from the despatching system used by alarge UK city taxi firm, and secondly an experimental approach, whichwill analyse by means of an economic experiment the same questions.

The results of this analysis is intended to inform questions regardingthe regulation of taxi markets and also will have implications fortraffic congestion in cities.

It is anticipated that the student nominated for this studentship wouldhold a Master’s degree in Economics or Transport Studies (withsubstantial Economics content), and have good quantitative skills.Knowledge of experimental methods will be desirable but not essential,as appropriate methodological training will be expected to beundertaken. Supervisors will be Professors Tim Barmby and JoeSwierzbinski, http://www.abdn.ac.uk/business/ Contact :- Applicationforms and further details may be obtained from Ms Kate Ellis k.ellis @abdn.ac.uk until Aug 1st and then Ms Anne McPherson a.mcpherson @abdn.ac.uk subsequently. The grant will be £14,300 (the standard£12,300 ESRC grant studentship award + £2000 enhanced stipend), perannum for 3 years. UK students or non UK EU students with 3 yearsresidency in the UK are eligible to apply.

Deadline for applications:-21st August 2006