Coventry is increasing safety at night with the popular taxi marshal service

Coventry city center has introduced a new taxi service to make late night journeys safer and more efficient. The initiative, led by Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), is being piloted at the Spon Street taxi rank.

Commissioners are tasked with ensuring that all taxis operating in the city center are properly licensed and that only Hackney Carriage vehicles, commonly known as black cabs, use official taxi ranks. In addition, they monitor private hire vehicles, ensuring that these pre-booked cars only stop in safe places without blocking roads or putting pedestrians at risk.

The service, launched as a six-month trial, has been running for the past month. Commissioners have received training from Coventry City Council’s taxi licensing team and are being supported by the council’s increased evening enforcement efforts. All stewards are DBS checked and employed by Professional Security on behalf of Coventry BID.

The aim is to create safer streets for night-time visitors, reducing unsafe vehicles waiting and ensuring a smoother experience for taxi passengers. The program also aims to keep roads clear for emergency services.

This taxi initiative is part of a wider effort by Coventry BID to improve visitor experience and safety in the city centre’s night-time economy. The BID’s street patrol team has also expanded its operations, now covering the nightlife hotspots around the Skydome and Spon Street from 10pm to 4am daily. These measures are part of an ongoing commitment by Coventry BID, which has been serving the city center for over 20 years and was recently re-elected for a fifth term by local businesses.

Mohammed Amjad, a taxi driver in the city center, praised the initiative and its impact so far. He said: “Before this service was introduced there was no real coordination at taxi ranks.

“Private hire drivers would come in and block the area and we would lose customers as a result.

“We have definitely seen a change since the program was introduced. It is also safer for our customers when trying to get a taxi.”

Coventry BID manager Joanne Glover said: “We are constantly looking for new ways to improve the experience for all stakeholders in the city centre.

“Whether you’re visiting a bar or restaurant, running a business or a taxi driver serving the city centre, we’re committed to making that experience as smooth, safe and enjoyable as possible.

“The pilot project for the taxi marshal scheme is going well, with much more orderly parking at taxi ranks, smooth traffic and unauthorized vehicles being discouraged from operating.

“Night visitors to the city center can now leave in a quicker and safer way by using licensed vehicles.

“Our night patrol team also attended a number of incidents to help people get home safely and reduce potentially challenging situations.”

Councilor Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for Municipal Services at Coventry City Council, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to support the BID team with this initiative. We want people to enjoy a night out in Coventry and then be able to get home hassle-free and that’s what this marshal service is all about.”