Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, has today launched an online petition calling on Scotrail Alliance to bring back taxi ranks to within Waverley Railway Station.
In 2014, taxis were banned from previous taxi ranks within the station, meaning passengers have to leave the station to get a taxi, or be dropped off, on neighbouring streets. Older and disabled people have been expressing concerns about the inconvenience and difficulties they face as a result. Last summer the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure Committee investigated the issue and concluded it was “essential that suitably located, accessible taxi facilities are available at Waverley.
Miles Briggs has already made representations to Scotrail Alliance’s Chief Executive and the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf. Miles is hoping his petition will demonstrate the significant level of public support for bringing back taxis to the station. The petition can be accessed at: www.change.org/p/scotrail-alliance-bring-back-taxi-ranks-to-within-edinburgh-waverley-station
Speaking today Miles said:
“A significant number of constituents have contacted me on this issue and I, like them, are frustrated that more than a year after the Parliament’s Infrastructure called for action to restore taxi ranks within the station, nothing has so far happened.
“I am aware that limited plans are being considered at present for an additional taxi rank in the New Street Car Park but I hope that my petition will help put pressure on rail bosses to ensure taxi ranks are restored to the most accessible locations within the station. Elderly and disabled constituents and visitors find the current arrangements inconvenient and difficult and we must improve access provisions.
“I hope many constituents across Lothian and others across the country will sign my petition to demonstrate the widespread support that exists for better taxi access at Waverley.
“Waverley Station is a national transport hub and the first experience of Scotland for many tourists coming here and we need to see taxi access arrangements made much more user-friendly than the current set up.”
