ES Marshalls for New Taxi Rank
On Friday, July 18th and Saturday, July 19th, from 10.00pm until 3.30am, the marshalled taxi rank will aim to introduce taxi drivers and customers to the new Hackney Carriage Rank on Library Drive.
The scheme has been implemented by the Licensing and Enforcement Teams at East Staffordshire Borough Council to alleviate problems caused by the removal of the ranks on High Street and the introduction of the rising bollards.
It should also ease traffic congestion and prevent problems among passengers looking for late night taxis after a night out.
Licensing Committee Chairman, Councillor Liz Staples, said: "We are delighted to be able to provide the taxi rank marshal scheme on this occasion, it has already been widely welcomed by taxi drivers and will provide an introduction to the rank on Library Drive.
"We acknowledge that anti-social behaviour and violent crime can occur once people leave pubs and nightclubs. The taxi marshals, will endeavour to ensure the new rank is used efficiently and effectively, enabling people to leave the town centre in a timely way."
The taxi marshals are fully trained and SIA (Security Industry Authority) identified and regulated. The security company supplying the taxi marshals will liaise with the enforcement team at East Staffordshire Borough Council and provide a report on the progress of the initiative, including details of any incidents.
The taxi marshal role is non-confrontational. If disorder occurs they are to withdraw from high-risk situations and will be supported by the police.
The marshals will wear high visibility fluorescent jackets, and will be issued with radios and have direct contact with the CCTV control room. Their duties will include:
• Ensuring queues are orderly and that they operate efficiently for taxi drivers and users.
• Ensuring passengers properly dispose of any bottles, glasses, cans and fast food before getting on board.
• Preventing fights and aggressive behaviour.
• Reporting any misbehaviour to police before it escalates, or to venues before it reaches their doors. They will ensure only licensed cabs pick up passengers, stop queue jumping, and discourage all forms of anti-social behaviour.
The marshals will also be there to ensure revellers get into the right licensed vehicle. Only white-plated Hackney cabs can be hailed in the streets within East Staffordshire's boundaries and sit on taxi ranks. Private hire vehicles which have green licence plates must be booked in advance and are not allowed to be flagged down as their insurance doesn't cover this.
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