Midnight Saturday night 5th January, the Euston Taxi Rank, better known amongst London Taxi drivers as "The Gas Chamber", closed for good.
At that time, the all new Taxi rank opened in front of the station.
From Sunday morning 6th January, Taxis will pick up and drop off directly outside the front of the station (formerly Euston Square Gardens West), instead of using the previous underground taxi rank.
The new rank marks the first phase of work to improve passenger flows through the station in preparation for the arrival of Britain’s new railway, HS2.
The new location will offer more space and easier level access from the station concourse than the previous underground rank which needed to be accessed via lifts, stairs or an escalator.
Key features of the new taxi rank include:
Six pick-up spaces
Eight drop-off spaces
Two drop-off and pick-up disable spaces for people requiring mobility assistance
40 ranking spaces
147 covered cycle spaces and 36 uncovered spaces
The whole rank and drop off area is geofenced to stop Uber drivers misusing the area. Cars having dropped off, must leave the area immediately.
Joe Hendry, Euston station manager, said: “For decades the taxi rank at London Euston has been hidden away underground. When it is outside the station it will be step-free and easily accessible for everyone.
“We are confident this new bright and modern facility not only allows us to improve interchange to taxis, but also routes for pedestrians to Euston Square underground station and improved provision for cyclists.”
“The relocation is part of wider passenger improvements linked to delivering HS2, including changes to retail units, platform widening and access to the London Underground network.”
Passengers have been made aware of the changes through station announcements, social media and on train announcements.
Additional staff will be in place to direct passengers and be on hand to assist customers with special mobility needs.
TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT :
I spoke to one of the station staff at length last night and he told me that the perceived fear Uber cars would wait en masse in the rank area has been dealt with. The whole of Euston Gardens (allegedly) has been Geofenced by the company, meaning Uber vehicles will not get a signal in the confine of the rank area.
Quite a walk from the station to the new rank.
There is also a fear amongst Cabbies that the rank is too far away from the station and that passenger may exit onto Eversholt Street and flag down passing Taxis. But the Staff member I spoke to said the signage is very clear plus announcements will be made on the arrival of every train.
Passengers wishing to pay by credit or debit card will no longer have the problem (associated with the underground drop off zone) of no signal. Transactions will now be able to be completed at point of drop off.
Commenting on a blog is an art. Good comments create relations. You’re doing great work. Keep it up. London Euston Mini Cabs
ReplyDelete