Transport for London (TfL) bosses have unveiled their plans to introduce one hundred new taxi ranks in London city by 2020 in the hope that it will help see a decrease in illegal touting and reports of ‘bogus’ taxis.
The move comes after TfL’s Safer Travel at Night campaign revealed that 94 illegal touts were arrested in 2014.
It was agreed that despite the city currently having a whopping 500 taxi ranks, users still found it difficult to find an available cab. The ranks will primarily be placed outside underground stations that will be part of the new 24-hour ‘Night Tube’ service set to launch in September this year.
The move will also help meet the demands of disabled commuters who struggle to find a wheelchair accessible black cab.
Moving with the Times
Times are changing and TfL has acknowledged the fact that the taxi trade shouldn’t and won’t be left behind.
Transport for London chief, Sir Peter Hendy, commented: “We’re not complacent and recognise that both the hackney taxi and private hire trades must move with the times and keep pace with technological advances.”
As with all cities, the crime on cabbies is forever increasing but the presence of marshals has proven to reduce the crime statistics and therefore TfL has also proposed that late-night taxi marshals are introduced in conjunction with the new ranks to ensure better safety for both drivers and passengers alike.