Having started this Spring, the Taxi Marshall programme will be in place on every Friday and Saturday night until the end of the 2025.
The system places two friendly taxi marshalls on Duncombe Place and St Saviourgate from 11pm to 3am on key Fridays and Saturdays, helping to coordinate busy taxi ranks in the city centre.
Now in its eighth year, the programme has been used successfully since it was first introduced in 2017, allowing people to get home quickly and safely after a night out with direct on-call support readily available for anyone who needs it.
York Business Improvement district (BID) is working alongside local businesses, residents, the North Yorkshire Police and the City of York Council who are helping to fund the initiative in hopes to reduce anti-social behaviour and maintain York’s Purple Flag accreditation, which is awarded to cities around the globe that have a high standard of vibrant nightlife and protect those who use it.
Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID said, “We’re pleased to bring back the Taxi Marshal programme to support the city’s Purple Flag accreditation and support York’s thriving night time economy, meaning all York residents and visitors can enjoy a safer nightlife experience.”
Cllr Kate Ravilious, City of York Council Executive Member for Transport, said, “The taxi marshal scheme in York has been in operation since 2017 and has been warmly received by residents, businesses of Duncombe Place and St Saviourgate, and members of the Hackney Carriage Association.”
Cllr Ravilious also endorses the scheme’s aim, “to curb anti-social behaviour and control noise levels in the neighbourhood while giving those wishing to travel late at night an increased feeling of safety. It also supports the aim of reducing violence against women and girls, provides additional securities to the taxi trade and contributes to the city’s Purple Flag status.”
The Taxi Marshall programme helps to not only support individuals on a night out, but also those who work late shifts and need a safe place to pick up a taxi and get home for the night without being disturbed by party-goers. Additionally, the scheme helps to support those living closer to the city centre by reducing anti-social behaviour and noise complaints, so as not to disturb locals.
Ruby Thorpe is currently a Politics and International Relations student at the University of York. She is Music Editor for Nouse and has written for the University of York’s music magazine, Circulation, and The York Tab. Additionally, she is a co-ordinator for York International Women’s Week. Ruby is interested in all things music and loves to travel around York and Yorkshire to explore local arts and culture.
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