LIVERPOOL city centre's first purpose-built taxi “hub”, complete with late-night marshalls and registered security staff, opens this weekend in Duke Street.
The idea is to give passengers “a safe and comfortable alternative” to queuing on city centre ranks, flagging black cabs down on the street, or waiting in doorways for other private hire taxis to arrive, especially after dark.
City private hire operator Alpha Cars is behind the scheme, which it says has the backing of Merseyside Police. It has converted the Victorian Wilson's Building, near to the junction with Hanover Street, into a booking station and waiting lounge.
GPS
Alpha owner James Bradley said: “It is amazing it has taken so long for a major city like Liverpool to have a facility such as this. We take bus and train stations for granted, but no thought has been given to a purpose-built taxi station, until now. Liverpool has been crying out for such a facility.”
A GPS system will be used to dispatch the firm's 400-strong fleet to the station and a special lay-by has been created at the front door of the building.
James BradleyAdded Mr Bradley: "It will also make a major contribution to greener transport by introducing a central pick-up point, reducing the number of cars circulating in and around the city centre.”
He said: “Before we embarked on this project we looked very carefully at what was needed and the best location. I have been working on this scheme for some years in response to requests from passengers, and particularly female customers, who want, and deserve, a safe and secure environment. "
Mr Bradley's planning consultant and former Liverpool planning officer, Steve Chapman, Managing Director of Liverpool-based Devaplan Ltd said: "The council's own Unitary Development Plan policies recognise the importance of encouraging the provision of taxi facilities to serve the city centre. I'm sure this operation will set a new high standard in taxi facilities.”
