New trial site for evening taxi rank

Dunedin (Monday, 22 August 2016) – A new location for the evening taxi rank in the Octagon will be trialled for three months.

From tomorrow, the evening taxi rank will move from outside the Municipal Chambers and Civic Centre to the central lane of the Octagon, where tour bus parking has been provided. The rank will operate from 7pm to 7am, Monday to Sunday. During the day time, the taxi rank will operate from the current location outside the Municipal Chambers and Civic Centre.

Dunedin City Council Acting Group Manager Transport Richard Saunders says the covered walkway will provide shelter for people waiting for taxis. There will also be a sign to show where the taxi stand is and the area is monitored by CCTV.

“This proposal has been discussed with taxi companies, local businesses and the Police, and there is a lot of support for the trial.

“The trial site has several advantages over the current site and we expect it to be popular with the public too.”

DCC staff have talked with the mobile traders who use that space during the day and the trial will not affect their use of the area.

Mr Saunders says at the end of the trial, staff will discuss the results with taxi companies, the Police and local businesses before deciding whether to make it a permanent move.

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