In a bid to curb anti-social behaviour and control noise levels, York Business Improvement District (BID) is to once again run a taxi marshalling service in the city centre.
Taxi marshals have operated at the Duncombe Place rank in the city since 2017. Thanks to a new grant from the North Yorkshire Police and Fire Commissioner, the service can now also be extended to the St Saviourgate rank.
The marshals will be operating at Duncombe Place on Friday and Saturday nights, from 11pm-3am.
The St Saviourgate trial will begin in late June, and the BID will monitor its success.
Marshals will be in place to help manage queues at the two busy taxi ranks, helping drivers deliver faster and safer service.
Marshals are Security Industry Authority (SIA) trained and will have radio communication with police and local partners.
The scheme has been supported since 2017 by residents and businesses in Duncombe Place and members of the Hackney Carriage Association.
The costs to run the programme at Duncombe Place is covered by funding from partners including York BID, City of York Council, the Dean Court Hotel and residents in the area. That money is now supplemented by the crime commissioner grant
Carl Alsop, operations manager of the York BID (Business Improvement District) said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue the taxi marshal scheme. It’s proven to be highly effective in improving night-time safety.”‘”
General manager of the Dean Court Hotel Steve Bailey said: “‘”I’m delighted. Since the introduction of the taxi marshal campaign in Duncombe Place, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of noise complaints at the Dean Court.”
Both taxi ranks will operate with two marshals on duty every Friday and Saturday night until the end of the year.
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