Taxi Driver Online

Taxi safety ranks high for wardens in Hanley



WARDENS are patrolling taxi ranks in Hanley to ensure customers are safe and drivers are legitimate.

A three-month trial began last night and the city council is paying around £20,000 for the scheme.

Ranks on Stafford Street will be patrolled from 10pm to 3am on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays until the end of January.

Last night the four wardens patrolled Stafford Street from Percy Street to Old Hall Street, while the rank further along Stafford Street, from Lamb Street to Trinity Street, will be patrolled from November 10. Wardens' duties include directing the public to taxi ranks where they can pick up a legal cab, rather than get in a private hire vehicle.

Dave Burgess-Pearson, chairman of Stoke-on-Trent Hackney Carriage Association, said: "I am fully supportive of this move. The drivers have been asking for this for a while.

"Illegal cabs plying for trade at the top of Piccadilly are a nightmare. People do not realise the risks they are taking when they get into them. If there is an accident, they do not have a leg to stand on because there is no insurance.

"They've also been causing a lot of congestion and I have heard about unlicensed cabs massively overcharging people."

The money for the wardens comes from the council's licensing department, which collects fees from drivers.

Councillor Joy Garner, portfolio holder for environment on the city council, said: "The wardens are being introduced to make sure everyone who enjoys a night out in the city centre can get home safely.

"Groups of people who have been out can sometimes be noisy and our wardens will be making sure they don't cause problems for taxi drivers.

"If people really wish to use private hire cars, I strongly advise them to keep a reputable company's phone number on their mobile phone, book it, and ensure the driver has their name before they get into the car.

"It is important that if people wish not to pre-book a car, they only use those cars that clearly say taxi on them and have a lit 'taxi' light on their roofs. They are the only ones which can be flagged down or stand in a rank."

The city centre has six taxi ranks: two in Stafford Street and others in Bryan Street, Town Road, Marsh Street and Charles Street.

Paula Green, aged 32, of Mow Cop, said: "I think the warden scheme is a great idea because some people get so drunk they need help."

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
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