|
New start for taxi marshal plan
Nov 7 2008 by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo
BETTER trained and equipped taxi marshals will take to the streets of the capital from tonight following a “disastrous” start for the scheme.
The six marshals will also act as ambassadors for Cardiff in an attempt to improve what some traders claim is a tarnished image brought about by the chaos of the past two weekends.
Businesses across the city centre complained after a Birmingham-based building services company hired by Cardiff council to provide a taxi marshal service failed to send enough staff. Those that did turn up were late, had little or no knowledge of the city or its taxi ranks, spoke little English and had no safety equipment or radios.
Cardiff council has confirmed it will be withholding payment to the English firm.
The £80,000 budget for and control of the marshals has now been passed from County Hall to city centre manager Paul Williams, who has drafted in a Welsh-based company which previously provided the service.
Stacey Carroll, manager of The Borough pub on St Mary Street, said after waiting so long for the taxi marshals to be re-introduced – they were pulled off the streets five months ago after funding ran out – she was disappointed at the lack of organisation.
“It has been a disaster the last couple of weeks. It was pretty poor,” she said.
“I think what happened may have damaged the reputation of the city.”
After new funding was secured from the Home Office, the taxi marshals, whose job is to ensure revellers find taxi ranks, queue properly and leave the city centre safely on Friday and Saturday nights, returned to St Mary Street and Greyfriars Road on October 24.
But they were about two hours late for duty because of delays on the motorway, did not understand how to organise queues at the taxi ranks, could not be easily identified by revellers because they wore jackets branded “building administration” and their only means of communication with police and each other was by mobile phone. Concerns were also raised over their safety as they had not been provided with stab vests.
A Cardiff council spokeswoman said: “The company engaged on a temporary basis to undertake the taxi marshal service was unable to provide sufficient staff to do so. Unfortunately, the company failed to advise the council that their staff would not be present and so no alternative arrangements could be made.
“When the relevant manager became aware the taxi marshals were not present he immediately advised the police so they could provide enhanced monitoring of the relevant areas.”
Mr Williams said the taxi marshals, who will now also work on Monday nights in Greyfriars Road, will provide a more rounded service, including identifying potential trouble spots and informing police and summoning medical help for revellers who are ill or have had too much to drink.
They will also be required to act as hosts for visitors, giving directions and ensuring they get the most out of their stay in the city.
“We need to quickly re-establish their authority to provide the best possible service,” said Mr Williams.
_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin
|
Login
Register
FAQ
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")