Taxi Driver Online

That's a first, never seen a tired rank.

Pleanty of tired drivers and tired old motors, but never a rank.

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IDFIMH

here it is again cos they have changed the page

Taxi ranks under review in bid to curb late night chaos
LICENSING bosses are planning a major revamp of York's taxi ranks in a bid to prevent late-night chaos.

They are also asking York residents what they think about the present state of the ranks.

City of York Council's licensing committee is carrying out a major review of the number of taxi ranks, where they are, and how they are marked out, after the number of taxi and private hire journeys in the city topped 40,000 a week for the first time.

Licensing manager John Lacy said the review was much-needed, as many of the city's ranks were poorly marked or in inappropriate places.

Mr Lacy said: "We need to ask, are there sufficient taxi ranks in the right places operating at the right times of day and night? Are the ranks adequate and convenient?

"Many people say the rank in Rougier Street is badly sited.

"The footpaths are too narrow, making it impossible for anyone other than those queuing for taxis to use it, which results in people walking on the road.

"This rank is immediately outside a late night takeaway. I am told many taxi drivers are unwilling to pick up at this rank as it is dangerous with people on the road. They are also, quite rightly, reluctant to take customers who are eating food, so those who take the taxi throw the litter on the pavement."

Pete Brownsword, manager of the nearby Nexus nightclub, said it would consider providing taxi marshals if the rank was moved.

He said: "A large proportion of any trouble at night is to do with getting people home.

"Stopping them from hanging about in the street removes the opportunity for crime."

The chairman of York Taxi Association, Mark Wharfedale, said the change was needed.

He said: "York's taxi ranks look tired. The signage isn't good and tourists aren't aware of where the ranks are. Obviously, any improvements will benefit us as a trade."

Mr Lacy praised taxi drivers for helping reducing crime by quickly getting people away from the city centre to their homes, hotels and guesthouses after nights out