Taxi marshalling scheme helps thousands of people
Released: 25 April 2007
Wolverhampton’s taxi marshals have helped more than 5,000 visitors to the city centre get home safely since the scheme began six months ago.
Feedback on the taxi marshalling scheme is showing it to be a great success as it enters the second half of its trial period.
Launched on 20 October 2006, the scheme provides visitors with a safe and convenient way to get a taxi home after a great night out in the city.
Taxi marshals, who operate from both Hackney Carriage and private hire taxi collection points on Friday and Saturday nights, offer a safe waiting area until a taxi arrives and have a direct link to taxi companies and drivers as well as the police.
The trial began thanks to a partnership between Wolverhampton City Council, the City Centre Company, West Midlands Police and Knightsafe24 (the city centre licensee forum).
Councillor Bishan Dass, Chair of Wolverhampton City Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “I’m delighted at how successful this scheme has been.
“In addition to already helping thousands of people get people home quickly and safely after an evening in the city, this initiative is helping to strengthen Wolverhampton’s night-time economy and the city’s reputation as a vibrant, welcoming and safe place to visit.”
The taxi marshals are helping almost 200 people every weekend including visitors from Birmingham; Stafford; Cannock; Walsall; Dudley; Kingswinford; Telford; Stourbridge and West Bromwich as well as Wolverhampton.
Their assistance is earning praise from many people who have benefited from the service.
Leigh Jones, from Codsall said: “I always go to the taxi marshal collection points to get a taxi home at the end of a night out. Both sites are central to the bars and clubs and I know that I can get a taxi home quickly, even during busy periods as they are able to call taxis for the people waiting.
“Also as it has been booked I know that I am insured for the journey home. I think that this is a great scheme for Wolverhampton and I hope it continues.”
One of the two locations the scheme operates from was changed in January 2007 in response to customer feedback. The private hire collection point now operates from Wolverhampton Bus Station on Pipers Row, opposite CRC, and the Hackney Carriage collection point is at Lichfield Street, opposite Barclays Bank.
Two taxi marshals operate from each of the locations between 11.30pm and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. People can go to the supervised taxi collection point of their choice, give the taxi marshal their name and destination and then wait in safety until their taxi arrives.
For more information on the taxi marshalling scheme visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/taximarshal or www.wolverhamptoncity.co.uk
Issued by the press office.