Taxi Driver Online

Bouncers plan to stop bust-ups at taxi ranks

BOUNCERS are to be introduced to keep the peace at some of Edinburgh's busiest taxi ranks.

The "transport marshals" start work tomorrow and have been charged with the job of keeping the queues in order and getting people safely into waiting taxis.

It is hoped the trial scheme, which follows similar initiatives in Glasgow and Aberdeen, will cut out much of the antisocial behaviour currently associated with the city-centre ranks.

Three marshals, contracted from a private security company, will be stationed at taxi ranks at Waverley Bridge, on Lothian Road near the Sheraton Hotel and outside the Caledonian Hotel in the West End. Funding is in place from the city council and the Edinburgh City Centre Management Company to trial the scheme over the festive period - but it is hoped money can be found to introduce a permanent service.

It is understood officials are keen to introduce marshals at other ranks across the city, including the one at Leith Street near the Playhouse theatre.

Sergeant Stephen Hagart, who is responsible for city centre anti-crime initiatives, said: "At the moment it can turn into a bit of a free-for-all at these ranks after closing time and there can be a lot of petty arguments that can turn nasty.

"Also, I think the ranks are often off-putting to taxi drivers who probably turn round when they see the scrum that can develop.

This will hopefully lead to more controlled and organised queues and that can only be good in terms of improving safety, but also getting people home quicker at the end of a night."

The marshals scheme will run on Friday and Saturday nights from 10.30pm until 4am every weekend in December, as well as the two Thursday nights before Christmas.

Murray Fleming, director of Central Radio Taxis, said: "I would welcome any initiative that makes the city centre a safer place, and I would urge all cabbies to co-operate with the scheme by trying to reach the ranks as often as possible. Taxi ranks can be flashpoints, especially after the clubs close, so anything to make them run more smoothly has got to be welcomed."

The transport marshals will also distribute information about night buses and private hire cars.

City centre manager Ian Broadfoot said: "I hope the December pilot proves to be a success and lays the foundations for the marshals to be established on a more permanent basis."

The officials will have support from the city's CCTV network and police officers.

Councillor Sheila Gilmore, the city's community safety leader, said: "At this time of year the town is particularly busy and travelling home safely at the end of a night out can be a worry - so it's a good time to trial this new service which will help ensure the end of a night out is as good as the rest of the evening has been."

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index ... 1777362006

So, how long will it be before some bright spark, prompted by PH interests, will say,

"Wait a minute, PH are sitting about doing nothing, why don't we get them to pick up from the ranks at busy times to relieve the pressure?"

Seems impossible? Watch this space. By saying nothing about this, our docile taxi trade is allowing off the wall ideas like this. Remember, the council regulatory bodies are heavily influenced by private hire interests. And the police would jump on it as a good idea, claiming public safety would be enhanced (and they wouldn't have to work so hard).

Also, how can the council deny licences when the need for taxi marshalls clearly demonstrates demand not being met, forcing customers to queue - just like rationing during the war.

Of course, I hear the usual argument that you can't cater for excessive peak demands because the extra taxis would be sitting around for the rest of the week doing nothing. I know this argument, I've made it myself.

But this is precisely the modernisation of the trade we need. This proposition places the taxi trade at he highest level of importance. But its not. The trade doesn't exist without the customer. It is they who should be catered for as top priority. If the demographics of the job need to change to meet their needs so be it. If drivers have to extend their working night to work over the peak hours then it needs to be done.

If the customers are there, thats when taxis need to be also. Matching service with customer needs.

Critics will see the job as going part time. I see it as a superb opportunity to restore the public's faith in our service. I see it as aiding growth, where we will all benefit. I see it as restoring the numerical presence we used to enjoy in the marketplace which dampened the need for private hire in the first place.

Coupled with wider vehicle choice, I see endless opportunities to devlop new niche markets. I see a very exciting future. But only if we recognise the potential and seize the opportunities.

The only price to be paid is the removal of the £50K plus plate "values" and the consequent inflated rentals (I've just heard of a case where a driver was asked for £350 six nightshift rental, without one of the weekend nights), which which have historically stifled the natural enthusiasm for change and growth through which other commercial operations are already benefitting from.

Bouncers? I would archive that news report.

Now we know what councillor wigglesworth meant when he said

"The council constantly monitors the demand for taxis and transport marshals will continue to do so over the festive period.

Can we be forgiven for thinking the grandiose title of "Transport Marshall" was to be something other than a "bouncer"?

I wonder if a bouncer understands the term "unmet demand"? Could we also be forgiven for thinking that councillor wigglesworth left us with the impression that these Transport marshalls would be experianced officials? I wonder who's going to write down the the length of time it takes the last persons in the queue to obtain a cab? And what will wigglesworth say in court when he is asked how many of the 80 Taxi ranks were observed and for how long and on what days and by whom? I wonder how the court will react when they are told, 3 ranks were observed out of 80, by a group of bouncers for a period of no more than 5 hours on three or four weekend nights? I suppose those statistics will go down well in court?

Regards

JD

I have to admit JD is right.

CC

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

the taxi marshalls in Aberdeen do a brilliant job!
I used to pick off the street between 2-30 and 5-30 when there is always chaos at the ranks! (the usual, loads of fights,yobs and such) but the marshalls being there make a huge difference!
Alot more taxis are heading to the ranks instead of going for flags!
quite simply,marshalls mean less hassle for us drivers and a safer place at night for customers!

The interesting thing is that PHV are now in effect ranking up in Crouydon and i believe Bromley under the direction of marshalls with the agreement of the PCO.A similiar scheme is being planned in Kingston upon Thames.The hacks are overjoyed! Wouldnt it be good if both hack and PHV could agree with each other solutions to the problems locally,and then involve the Authorities???PIGS MIGHT FLY!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Seems that GMB agrees. The problem here is the complete lack of distinction between taxis and PH.

This is why GMB fails.

I have no affinity with PHV. Rather my whole being is designed to return the taxi trade to the numerical presence which renders them redundant.

Of course they could argue for a single licensing system, with equality of quality controls. But they won't, because they seek advantage in being the unregulated cesspit of lowest common denominator service providers.

I've never understood why a trade union, which is supposed to fight for workers rights, consistently fails to do so and protects the very owners who are deliberately subjugating workers with excessive rental levels and restricted operating times.

Why am I not surprised that a trade union supports the oppressors rather than the oppressed.