Taxi marshals have been introduced at a major cruise ship port following reports of arguments between drivers over fares.
To fund the scheme, the Daily Echo reports that Associated British Ports is charging drivers an extra £1 per fare. But several drivers are unhappy about it, saying they cannot afford the charges and there is no need to introduce taxi marshals – similar to those found at taxi ranks in town and city centres.
But while marshals in towns ensure revellers get into cabs safely after a night out, the Echo says the levy will fund new marshals for the city’s four cruise terminals “after a series of rows between cabbies at the ranks.
Arguments
“The Daily Echo understands a number of arguments have broken out between cabbies over fares at cruise terminal ranks in recent years.”
Port director Nick Ridehalgh told the newspaper: “A series of incidents between hackney carriage drivers at our terminals has underlined the need for the port to ensure a professional standard of service for our cruise passengers.
“To that end, we have introduced marshals to manage taxi ranks on the port estate.
“Following lengthy consultation with the city council and drivers serving the cruise terminals, a small charge will be introduced on April 1.
“This is needed to support the on-site management required to deliver a high standard of service for our customers.”
A spokesman added that the £1 charge would only cover part of the cost of introducing the marshals.
Reaction
But the move has not been welcomed by taxi drivers. Perry McMillan, chairman of the Southampton cab section of Unite, told the Daily Echo: “I find it astonishing that a multi-million company like ABP is not prepared to pay for the marshals.
“The fact they are passing the buck to the taxi drivers and customers is penny-pinching and tacky.”
Clive Johnson, chairman of the Southampton Trade Association, accused the port of exaggerating the scale of any problems between taxi drivers.
He said: “In terms of the incidents between cabbies, they are making a mountain out of a molehill.
“Cruise passengers in Liverpool don’t have to pay £1 like this.”
Kevin Wright added: “I don’t understand it. Is this going to be monitored and will we be given receipts when we pay the charge?
“With fuel costs, the £67 permit you have to buy to park at the docks and other costs, I won’t be able to afford to run a taxi there, so the customer is going to incur the cost.”
Not all taxi drivers are against it, with Ian Hall, chairman of the Southampton Hackney Association saying: “We think it’s a brilliant idea.”
Readers reacting to the story also had mixed views.
gilbertratchet said: “Just pull the cabs out of the port, then ABP can explain to people why they have to lug 10 suitcases home. Maybe ABP could run their own cab service and fund the £1,200 a month it costs to run one. If the marshals were not employed from agencies on an ad-hoc basis they might know what they were doing.”
BeyondImagination warned: “The drivers should look at the situation at the airport and be thankful the same thing hasn’t happened at the cruise terminals.
“Southwest trains did a similar thing at Southampton Central some years ago. Now the taxi rank is 100 yards away in the road.”
In busy areas such as town and city centres, it makes sense to introduce marshals to help things run smoothly. It is also easy to see how marshals could provide a vital service at a busy cruise terminal with hundreds of passengers trying to get cabs.
But if the problem has reached the levels described by port authorities, it sounds like it could be a matter for the police rather than port employees.
