Taxi Driver Online

Darlington taxi marshals removed after 'tip pressuring'

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... ressuring/

Several taxi marshals have been removed from duty in Darlington after reports of a passenger feeling pressured to tip them.

Darlington Council has launched an investigation after reports surfaced of the incident, which took place on the rank at Grange Road before the person was allowed to get into a taxi.

The authority - which commissions a private security company to provide the taxi marshals - has now removed a number of marshals from duty.

The marshals are employed to help people feel safe while they are waiting for a taxi and to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Several reports have been made on Facebook of incidents with tipping at the taxi rank, including one post that claimed people were "not letting people into taxis" until tips had been paid.

The scheme is one of the measures to ensure people have a fun and safe night out in Darlington, alongside Number Forty on Skinnergate, which is open on Friday and Saturday nights to provide a safe space and practical support for anyone who feels vulnerable and needs a helping hand.

There is also an emergency button on a lamppost at the junction of Blackwellgate and Skinnergate which connects people to the CCTV team. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We commission a security company to provide taxi marshals and this behaviour has never been endorsed.

The paying of tips is a matter for customers and they should never be made to pay a tip or feel compelled to do so.

"When the security company was made aware of this incident they immediately informed us and removed the staff from taxi marshal duties whilst they carry out an investigation.”

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IDFIMH

The American approach to tipping raising it's ugly head

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Sounds more like watered down protection money, to be honest. Pay up, or you don't get a cab

if it was that wouldn't it be the drivers being told pay up or those that don't will not get customers ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Works either way, I'd say. Normally protection money paid by businesses, but don't see why it shouldn't work the other way round - if customers won't pay the money, they don't get the goods or services.

Particularly if it's a monopoly-type scenario, which this kind of thing effectively is.

Defo a case of the marshals trying it on, and abusing their status.

I am pleased this has been brought to everyone's attention. Maybe the security folks needed the money at the ranks as they could not do their drug dealing on the door.

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IDFIMH