Taxi Driver Online

Taxi marshals handed powers



TAXI marshals have been given more powers to patrol a town centre at night.

The marshals have been making sure revellers get home safely from Stafford town centre at weekends for the past three years.

Now new powers mean the marshals can take action against unlicensed taxi drivers. They will also be extending their patrols beyond the taxi ranks.

The service is paid for through taxi licence fees paid by cabbies.

Councillor Patrick Farrington, Stafford Borough Council's cabinet member for community, said: "The marshals help people to feel safe late at night, particularly as they are trying to make their way home.

"They will now be far more proactive in patrolling and trying to identify unlicensed taxi drivers. We don't want people climbing into unlicensed cabs, especially if they are more vulnerable because they are the worse for wear.

"They will have a roaming role and if they get reports of unlicensed cabs touting for trade they will investigate."

Taxi driver Tom Heffernan, who owns AJ's private hire, in Stafford, said: "The marshals will ensure that only licensed pre-booked vehicles can operate within the town."

source: http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Ta ... story.html

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

Personally I have no problem with the trade paying for taxi marshalls, although I think in time it will be those causing the problem (the pubs/clubs/etc) that meet the bill.

However I do have issues with the trade paying for the policing of the general night-time economy.

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IDFIMH

Isn't that what we pay the Police big bucks to be doing...

Hope Glasgow follows suit

I wounder if they've been granted super powers........now that would be a story!

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