Taxi marshals bring order to Batley

Dec 5 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TAXI marshals will return to Batley’s Golden Mile during the festive season to keep revellers and taxi drivers safe.

Their job involves working outside taxi ranks on Bradford Road to help people get home safely and reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

A group already works in Huddersfield town centre at weekends.

Taxi marshals meet and greet passengers, manage taxi queues, reduce the potential for friction, prevent assaults on taxi drivers and stop disorderly people from getting into a cab.

They also ensure non-licensed “ghost” taxis do not operate from the ranks, advise passengers of alternative taxi ranks with smaller queues and report any criminal behaviour to the police.

Clr Khizar Iqbal, chairman of Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities Partnership, said: “Taxi marshals play an important role in preventing scuffles and alcohol-related problems from escalating and getting out of hand.

“I am delighted we have secured some funding to continue their services during one of the busiest times of the year.”