Taxi Marshals are Back

The trial for taxi marshals to monitor and assist pedestrians in the taxi queue back in 2006 was extremely successful. The licensed trade supported this initiative in spirit and with money, but needed the support of the cabs to continue it.

Regrettably this simply didn’t happen. Then it was felt that with the changes in the licensing Act 2003 and the staggered closing times of venues that this had watered down the problem and marshals were not really needed anyway. But the opportunity to fund a trial presented itself to Dorset Police and the marshals were back in early 2009 and the experiment was again a success. This gave real benefits to the users, the taxis, and the reputation of Bournemouth as a night resort where people can enjoy a vibrant night out and get home safely.

Now Dorset Police and Town Watch have teamed up again to run a further ten weeks of taxi marshals through the summer and for three weeks over the Freshers season. It is however frustrating that the fragmentation of the taxi trade has led to many taxis not wishing to participate in this valuable exercise, especially when they have so much to gain from it, and it is now important that this is overcome to avoid throwing the future of taxi marshals in Bournemouth in to doubt again.

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Brads said:

	Excellent initiative! It is indeed a shame that some of the taxi companies themselves don't realise the positive effect this initiative has.
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June 18, 2009
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