East Riding taxi marshals helping residents get home safely
Tue 27th March 2018
For the first time, Taxi marshals will be in place over the Easter weekend on the ranks in Beverley and Bridlington to help customers get home safely.
The taxi marshals will be in place on the taxi ranks on Good Friday and Easter Sunday between 11pm and 3am.
The licensed marshals will help ensure queues are orderly; people have enough money for their fare and also make sure they are getting into a licensed vehicle.
Councillor Shaun Horton, cabinet portfolio holder for community involvement and council corporate services, said: “The marshals work well alongside our licensing officers and with the taxi drivers in helping to make it is a safe night out for revellers.
“The East Riding has a reputation for being a safe place to be out and about and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and stay safe.
“We know that most people who join a taxi queue after a night out are well behaved, but a small minority can cause problems for others so the taxi marshals can help people stay calm and in good spirits.
“We always have a first rate response from residents, people in the pubs and bars trade and taxi owners when we use the taxi marshals over the Christmas period and we are pleased to extend their use over the Easter weekend.”
Tips to help you stay safe this Easter
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Licensing Team has issued the following information and tips for people using taxis or private hire vehicles:
only Hackney Carriage cabs can be hailed in the street or on a taxi rank and they should carry a plate on the back of the vehicle – East Riding licensed vehicles display white oval door stickers and have a top light saying “TAXI”
private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance and display a plate on the back of the vehicle – East Riding licensed vehicles have yellow oval stickers on the front passenger doors saying “pre-booked only”
all licensed drivers should have a driver’s identity badge issued by the relevant council, which should be prominently displayed at all times
carry a telephone number of a trusted, licensed taxi or private hire company
if possible, book a taxi or mini-cab in advance and ask for the name of the driver, the make and colour of the car
confirm the details with the driver when the vehicle arrives – is it the car you ordered?
if you are ordering a taxi from a public place, try not to let anyone overhear your name and address
if you are out with friends, make sure everyone has a way of getting home
if someone in your group has had too much to drink, don’t leave them alone. Accompany them to the taxi and make sure it’s a legitimate licensed vehicle – friends should stick together and make sure everyone gets home safely
do not walk home if you’ve consumed too much alcohol as this can make you vulnerable or you may have an accident– ask yourself will you be safe? Are you in control? Have you let someone know what you are doing and where you are going?
