Taxi Driver Online

This isn't directly about the trade, but have seen a few articles about this kind of thing. But it's mostly virtue signalling, or whatever, and nothing concrete. Not sure if it could actually be made a legal requirement.

But that's what gets me about all this - they're granting more late licenses, and then wondering why the streets are unsafe, and why staff and the like can't get taxis home. Can't speak for everyone, but one of the reasons I've largely given up waiting for the pubs and clubs to chuck out is because it all happens a couple of hours later than it used to back in the day

A year-and-a-half until I get my bus pass. Getting too old for this kind of thing

Was in Dundee a couple of weeks ago on Sunday morning about 5am. Saw some 'lads' brawling outside Dundee's all-night drinking venue (aka the Grosvenor 'Casino') in broad daylight. Went up Law hill for some exercise, and could clearly hear the bass thumping from some sort of event in the central area. Think that was the graduation ball, which went on till 6am. And I could clearly hear it from a mile away


Council agrees on policy for late night workers to get taxi home

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-62093142

Free transport could be offered to late-night staff in Newcastle after the council agreed to protect workers.

The City Council wants to develop a policy which would mean new late-night licences were dependant on venues providing transport for staff.

It is aimed at protecting those who cannot afford a taxi fare from harassment and violence.

Council leader Nick Kemp said sexual assault was "sadly all to common" for night-time workers.

He wants to ensure venues help their employees get home safely after their shifts and said the council would actively encourage all employers in the city to commit to the safe travel offer.

Councillor Lesley Storey, cabinet member for public safety, said she was "sickened and broken" by the death of Zara Eleena, who was killed on her way home from a night out in east London in June.

She recalled her experiences of harassment and sexual assaults and said her entire life "has been lived in the shadow of the fear of what could happen to me".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the council also pledged to call for improvements to late night public transport provision and help employers with funds from the Government's Safety of Women at Night Fund to supply taxis.

Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: "An employer's duty of care doesn't just stop when someone clocks off. No employee should have to worry about walking home alone in the dark.

"No employee should have to worry about scraping enough money together to get home just because their shift finishes when the buses have stopped or their salary just isn't enough to cover a taxi.

"Our city's employers have to step up with this. They have to take responsibility."

Had one the other night, young female, 20-ish, wanted to go to village of Wormit about 12 miles away. Managed to get money sorted out, and arrived in Wormit after stopping en route so she could be sick (at least she asked me to stop). Got to Wormit, and I asked where she was going, precisely. She didn't seem to know, and said she was going to Tayport, another few miles in other direction

I said she'd stated Wormit, then she realised, I asked her where precisely she wanted to go, and she didn't seem to know. And Wormit is more a small town than village.

She then suddenly got out of the car and just fell over. She eventually picked herself up, and was just sitting there on pavement (see photo). Then she got up and started walking. Wasn't sure what to do, and thought about phoning police, because the place was utterly deserted, and she was clearly out of it.

Then suddenly this young chap appeared from nowhere, and it seems she was in touch with him via her phone in some way. I'd driven up the road a bit to get turned, and she'd started walking in opposite direction, and I gave the chap a lift up to find her, and then he got out and I left them to it. He was completely sober and seemed quite sensible. Phew.

But that was just Wednesday at midnight, and she came from one of the town's venues that have been allowed to open later in the last few years. And that's not to mention the town's 'rape culture'

(I often take photos of this kind of thing as evidence just in case things go badly wrong. But, of course, even taking photos is a potential worry. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.)

And, of course, it's maybe a bit like the 'pay later' taxi schemes. It may actually be difficult to source the free taxis for staff at silly-o-clock, but of course that's not the kind of thing councillors consider as they grant yet another late licence to the worst of the bars and clubs.

But at least they'd be sober, and the driver would get paid. Eventually

It's been about 10 years since I picked up someone I don't know after 10pm.

Just not going to happen.

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IDFIMH