Taxi drivers already hate Plymouth's new coach stationTaxi drivers have branded Plymouth's new coach station a "complete shambles" after malfunctions marred its first week in operation.
The Mayflower Street facility was unveiled last week as city councillors ushered in a "new era" for public transport in the city centre.
But a technical error with the entry gates on day one, which delayed services, and the sudden closure of a toilet because men could be seen urinating by those sat in the waiting room have left passengers frustrated. There are further reports of no toilet roll holders in the women's toilet.
And now taxi drivers have rounded on the new station, too, questioning why there is no on site taxi rank.
Black cabbie John Fielding, who has been driving his taxi in Plymouth for 35 years, said drivers are expected to pick passengers up in front of Iceland on Mayflower Street.
But the 75-year-old, who also says there are no litter bins at the new station or working toilets, fears drivers will snub the Iceland taxi rank in favour of busier spots while people who are new to the city will not know where they are going due to a lack of signage.
"People are getting off these coaches carrying cases that they can hardly lift and the nearest taxi rank is in front of Iceland," he told The Herald.
Taxi drivers will not wait for passengers in the taxi rank by Iceland, John said
"When Iceland shuts, no taxis are going to wait there because no one is around. Once the shops shut, people rarely walk up Mayflower Street in search of a taxi so drivers will go elsewhere.
"There needs to be a taxi rank on site. Passengers will be glad to see us waiting there and there is definitely room for at least two or three taxis.
"If you're elderly, or you're new to the city, it's not safe to expect them to walk to a taxi rank where no taxis are going to be waiting."
The station, run by National Express, features seven coach bays; real-time passenger information systems; a waiting room; booking office; toilets; and cycle stands.
There is also an 89-space car park to the west end of the site.
Fellow black cab driver Mark Down also raised safety concerns about the new coach bays at Derry's Cross roundabout.
They were designed to allow continental coaches, which have passenger doors on the off side, to disembark in the heart of the city centre - making it easier for tourists to reach nearby shops and restaurants.
But Mark says the new glass bus shelters, which are big enough to accommodate dozens of passengers, have been taken advantage of by late-night revellers looking for a place to sit down or homeless people in search of sleep.
He said: "I picked up an old couple last week who had been dropped off at the Theatre Royal because their coach driver didn't know where the new station was.
"Then the following night, I drove past the new bays at Derry's Cross and there were between 30 and 40 drunk people sat inside the shelters.
"Passengers, particularly elderly passengers, who are waiting for an early morning coach shouldn't have to put up with that.
"It doesn't look great for Plymouth if you arrive and that's what you're greeted with. There was rubbish strewn everywhere - it looked awful."
He added: "I won't be parking in the taxi rank outside Iceland waiting for passengers at the new coach station. The area isn't busy enough for that.
"It's a complete and utter shambles. They should never have built the station where they have."
Plymouth City Council has been approached for comment
Read more at
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymout ... T0BFWlq.99
Login
Register
FAQ
