Came across this via TaxiPoint, but get the impression we're not allowed to simply paste articles from there onto here, so done a bit of a rehash below
A bit like the Chelmsford operation the other night, but it's police who have posted it to social media rather than council LOs, or whatever.
Anyway, it's based on a Twitter post by Glasgow City Community Policing Team, as below. Funny thing, though, is that it's a bit vague as regards what the operation is all about, other than 'enforcing legislation at the taxi rank'. But the responses on Twitter from the trade certainly suggest it was primarily about illegal parking on the rank.
Image: Glasgow City Centre Police/TwitterGlasgow City Centre Police wrote:
Officers from Glasgow City Community Policing team worked in partnership with Glasgow City Council at the taxi rank on Sauchiehall Street. Officers were there to enforce legislation at the taxi rank to ensure that taxi's were able to pick people up safely and take them home.
However, the responses from the trade suggest that the enforcement was short-lived, and had little short-term effect, never mind what happens in the long-term.
Which is consistent with what was said in the Chelmsford thread - once these practices become ingrained, any enforcement or crackdown seems more about PR rather than actually turning things round. Once officers depart, then it's quickly back to normal.
Glasgow Unite Cab Section wrote:
The action on Sauchiehall St was very much appreciated, however, by 10pm the rank was again inaccessible due to illegal parking. Taxis stopped servicing the rank as a consequence. This puts the public, especially lone females, at greater risk of harm.
This is from Calum Anderson, who was one of the Unite reps at one point, and I'm guessing he's still with them:
Calum Anderson wrote:
Pointless, and it seems once again nothing but lip service from @GlasgowCPolice @GlasgowCC The important time for the rank to be kept clear is when the demand is there after closing time. If we ask taxis to boycott the rank then the Police will have a bigger headache to deal with
Other responses are along the same lines:
John C wrote:
Even happening at George Sq now with people parking at the Xmas market when rank has no taxis and a large queue of people with taxis arriving, refusing to move either, even when pointed out that the other side of the street is empty.
Neil Morrison wrote:
This is to be applauded but it needs to be enforced all the time and later at night...and at all the ranks....not just a twitter photo opportunity.
Michael Smith wrote:
Virtue signalling … take responsibility… is it your job to deal with the offenders ?? .,, requires a response.[...]
Why aren’t you doing this as a matter of course across the City Centre- this shouldn’t be about a one-off initiative, this should be anytime there are offenders- and that is every night !!??! #supportthetaxitrade- you are allowing criminal activity - when you allow it gets worse.
David A wrote:
Surely just put a camera there that records and its a cashcow for @GlasgowCC
? I cycle it regularly and the car road is always full of parked cars blocking the road.
James Henaghen wrote:
What about Byres Rd ? Albion St ? Buchanan Bus ? This’ll last over the Xmas period then back the way it was.
Pault1967 wrote:
About time !!!!! Need more involvement at other taxi ranks throughout the city.
#reclaimtheranks
TaxiPoint also quotes Allan Nugent of the newly formed Glasgow Taxi Owner’s Federation, who several weeks ago said the following, which is probably a more rounded summary of the wider narrative as regards this kind of thing:
Allan Nugent, Glasgow TOA wrote:
“A lot of City centre streets were pedestrianised during the pandemic and are now being left causing us to take a much longer route at parts, which is obviously being questioned by passengers. A few ranks were also taken away as part of the ‘temporary’ covid measures. They have yet to be reinstated.
“Of the taxi ranks that remain, they have become increasingly inaccessible to taxis because of parking by every other vehicle except taxis.
“This has been brought to the attention of Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council (GCC) traffic enforcement, but each seem to be blaming the other.”