York BID announce return of its city centre taxi marshalling service

Image credit: York Business Improvement District

The York Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the return of its taxi marshalling service in the city centre.

The service will operate on Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm to 3am at the Duncombe Place rank, where it has been in operation since 2017. In addition, a grant from the North Yorkshire PFCC has enabled the BID to trial the service at the St Saviourgate rank from late June.

The program aims to reduce anti-social behavior and control noise levels in the neighborhood while providing a safer environment for late-night travelers. The two taxi queues are popular and busy during weekends, and the marshals will help organise the queue and improve the speed and safety of the taxi service.

The scheme has been well received by residents and businesses of Duncombe Place as well as members of the Hackney Carriage Association since its inception in 2017. Marshals are trained by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have radio communication with the police and local partners.

Funding for the program at Duncombe Place is provided by partners including the BID, City of York Council, Dean Court Hotel, and Residents of Duncombe Place, with additional support from a grant from the North Yorkshire PFCC this year. Two marshals will be on duty at each rank every Friday and Saturday until the end of the year.

Steve Bailey, General Manager, Dean Court Hotel, said: ‘I’m delighted to hear that York BID are continuing to provide taxi marshalls in and around York city centre. Since the introduction of the Taxi Marshall campaign in Duncombe Place, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of noise complaints at the Dean Court and we look forward to working with the taxi Marshalls for another successful campaign.”

Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at the York BID, said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue the taxi marshal programme. It’s proven to be highly effective in improving night-time safety, and contributes to the city’s Purple Flag status.”