NSW Taxi Council Taxi Zone Guidelines

Transcription

1 NSW Taxi Council Taxi Zone Guidelines The Aim This guide has been produced to provide guidelines for taxi ranks in NSW. The aim of this guide is to provide: Best practice design of current and proposed taxi ranks A guide to assess taxi rank facilities Contact details for the NSW Taxi Council NB: For the purposes of this guide, the term taxi zone as listed in the NSW Passenger Transport Regulations 2007 (Clause 138) will be referred to as taxi rank. Introduction Taxis have long been an integral component of the NSW Public Transport System providing convenient, door to door transport for many user groups including the elderly, people with disabilities or mobility impairments. Taxis in NSW provide approximately 175 million journeys per year. Unlike buses, trains and ferries; taxis are not a route service and therefore do not have access to designated taxi stops but are required to pick up and drop off passengers very near the locations they are coming from and going to. NSW Taxi Council 1

2 Taxis are provided with taxi ranks in locations where passenger demand determines a requirement for taxis to queue to cater for the large volume of passengers exiting or entering a specific location. The Passenger Transport Regulations prohibit taxi drivers from allowing a taxi-cab to stand anywhere other than at a taxi rank whilst they are for hire. This means taxi ranks are the only place where vacant taxis may stand. If no taxi rank space is available vacant taxis have no option but to leave the area. Taxi networks despatch telephone bookings to vacant taxi-cabs and the quality of service provided to the public is greatly affected by the availability of vacant taxis near the pick-up location. In suburban areas the availability of taxi rank space is a key factor determining the availability of vacant taxis that can respond to bookings in surrounding areas. Common locations for taxi ranks to be situated include, but are not limited to; Airports City and Town CBD s Railway Stations Transport Interchanges Shopping Centres Community Centres Sporting venues (e.g. Racecourses) Entertainment Precincts (e.g. Casinos) Hotels, Clubs and Major Office Centres It should be borne in mind in many cases the availability of taxi services to provide transport to and from suburban shopping centres, medical and community centres is a key factor allowing frail and elderly people to live independently at home. Such people often cannot access other forms of public transport or drive themselves and are completely reliant on taxi services to provide essential transport. Typical taxi ranks in NSW (Sydney Airport (left) and a suburban shopping centre) NSW Taxi Council 2

3 Each taxi rank will be different based upon the unique requirements of the site and for this reason this document is to be used as a generic guide only. The NSW Taxi Council, Taxi Networks, Councils, R.T.A, Police, Disability Groups, the NSW Ministry of Transport, Retailers and other transport providers may all have input into the establishment, location, planning and design of taxi ranks. On most occasions these agencies will meet to discuss the best options available ensuring the most suitable outcomes are met with regards to community expectations. It should be noted that local taxi networks (including taxi drivers) will have a sound knowledge of current taxi rank operational capabilities and limitations and should always be consulted when changes to taxi ranks are planned. Components of a Taxi Rank Prior to proceeding further, there are components of a taxi rank that need to be understood in more detail. Taxi Rank A place for taxis and passengers to wait and queue in a convenient location. Some taxi ranks have various forms of barriers to corral passengers whilst waiting for taxis. Head of Rank The head of rank is the first vehicle position located at the front of the taxi rank. This is the space that the first available taxi must wait to pick up passenger/s. The head of rank should be situated to ensure that passengers approaching the taxi rank access the head of rank first to provide the intending passenger with immediate access to the first available vehicle. Feeder The taxi rank feeder is an area set aside for taxis to queue prior to accessing the actual taxi rank. Taxi feeders are generally reserved for very busy taxi ranks such as those at Airports, Racecourses, and Transport Interchanges etc. It should be noted that the first space in a feeder is not classified as the head of the rank. Bay Taxi zones at some larger locations such as Sydney Airport use a system of numbered vehicle positions. These are referred to as Bays. These bays are used to direct passengers and drivers to specific taxi vehicle positions in an orderly fashion. Rear of Rank the taxi rank. The rear of rank is the last individual vehicle position located on NSW Taxi Council 3

4 Taxi Rank Design Features Signage: including: There are various forms of signage required for taxi ranks Way finding For a passenger to find a taxi rank there should be clear and accurate way finding signage directing passengers to the taxi rank. Railway stations are a good example of this. Passengers exiting railway stations are often strangers to the area and require way finding signs to ensure they proceed directly to the taxi rank and do not proceed to the wrong side of the railway station. Large signs with the words Taxi Rank visible from all pedestrian and vehicular access approaches should be provided. Regulatory Signage The actual taxi rank should be clearly signposted with kerbside regulatory signage indicating to other motorists that only taxis can legally wait on the rank. These signs must comply with all requirements of the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) including the taxi rank hours of operation. Taxis are not permitted to be left unattended at taxi ranks. Reverse side of Regulatory Signage The reverse side of some regulatory signs indicate to passengers on the kerbside that taxis can set down and be hailed to pick up in the associated zone. These zones are not designated as taxi ranks, but rather zones that local councils have approved for the setting down or picking up of passengers by taxis (see picture below). Front side of Regulatory Sign Reverse side of Regulatory Sign Example of a taxi pick up/set down zone regulatory sign in accordance with RTA Technical Direction 06/2008. Contact details At each taxi rank there should be signage erected which provides the contact details of local taxi networks. Many passengers may not be familiar with local taxi protocols and may be visiting from overseas. It is important that unfamiliar passengers are provided with clear and up-to-date contact details to provide reassurance when travelling alone and/or at night. Disability Disability parking bays should be clearly identifiable by signage. Disability access signs located at the appropriate parking bay/s will allow Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) drivers to easily identify which bays are capable of setting NSW Taxi Council 4

5 down or picking up person/s in wheelchairs. The most suitable location for disability access is at the rear of the taxi rank. Bay numbering In locations where the taxi bay system is used, each vehicle bay should be numbered with signs to allow taxi rank staff (if applicable) to direct drivers and/or passengers to specific bays. General Signage Consideration should be given to the erection of local signage pertinent to each rank. Examples could include: safe lifting signs, security, CCTV signage etc. Examples of signage at taxi ranks NSW Taxi Council 5

6 Shelter: Taxi ranks should ideally have shelter from the elements running long the entire length of the taxi rank. A sheltered taxi rank will keep waiting and queuing passengers comfortable. Weather protection could be provided from an awning or structure of an adjoining building or by using a dedicated structure specifically for the taxi rank. Shelters should always be accessible to people with disabilities including vision impairment. Consideration should be provided to cater for sheltered areas in larger capacity holding bays for driver comfort. Seating: such as: It is essential appropriate seating is available especially for passengers The elderly and/or frail Expectant mothers Parents with very young children People with disabilities Kerbside space: As regular taxi users catch taxis from numerous localities the passenger waiting area at taxi ranks should have a consistent and predictable layout, taking into account the needs of waiting, queuing, and boarding passengers, and the queuing and layout of taxi vehicles. The kerbside area adjacent to the rank should be free from obstacles such as street furniture, trees and poles. The footpath area adjacent to the taxi rank should be sufficiently wide enough to provide for waiting taxi passengers and passing pedestrians. A minimum of 1.8 metres clear space should be provided for passing pedestrians, with a greater width in areas with high pedestrian volumes. Where demand is such that waiting passenger queuing facilities are needed, additional space will be needed to accommodate these facilities. In this instance, consideration should be given to having facilities set up for passengers queuing in the opposite direction to taxis, to avoid problems with passengers entering taxis at or near the rear of the rank. Kerbside height: The kerbside height should be at a height which prevents taxi doors from striking the kerbside causing damage to doors. The kerbside should also allow people with disabilities, elderly and frail passengers to easily access taxis. Kerbside Gradient: The kerbside gradient should be such that does not encourage shopping / luggage trolleys to roll towards the taxi vehicle Lighting: Taxi ranks must have appropriate levels of lighting to provide for pedestrians, passengers, vehicles and drivers. Recommended lighting levels and design procedures for the lighting of public areas is outlined in the Public Lighting Code AS/NZS NSW Taxi Council 6

7 Driver amenities: Taxi drivers often have nowhere to take a meal break or comfort stop. Consideration should be given to the provision of amenities including access to toilets, water and meal rooms. Shared driver provisions have been successful in some locations with bus and taxi drivers sharing facilities. Public amenities should be available for taxi drivers to use for a quick comfort stop. Trolley Stowage: In areas where luggage / shopping trolleys etc are commonly used to transport goods to the taxi rank, conveniently located stowage areas for empty trolleys are required. Empty trolleys present a hazard to passengers, taxi drivers and taxi vehicles. Disability Access: All new taxi ranks must comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002). These Standards outline the requirements in areas such as access paths, manoeuvring areas, ramps, waiting areas, surfaces, etc, and should be used when designing or modifying taxi ranks. Further technical guidance is provided in Australian Standards, AS 1428-Designing for access and mobility and AS 2890-Parking Facilities. Good design principles to enable people with disabilities to access taxi vehicles at ranks include: Tactile ground surface indicators to direct vision impaired pedestrians to the head of the rank, Signage and written information at the rank to be accessible for people who are blind or vision impaired, Kerb and channel adjacent to the taxi vehicle to be eliminated or relocated to improve access for people with vision and physical impairments, Where ramps are included in the kerb, they should be positioned at the rear of the taxi rank considering the extra length required for both the larger taxi vehicle and loading ramp, which will allow adequate access, clearance and circulation space for wheelchair users, and Other design principles outlined in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002). NSW Taxi Council 7

8 Taxi driver and rank staff assist a passenger into a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi. Taxi Rank Locations Taxi rank locations should minimise pedestrian travel distances, be central to areas or precincts they serve, be clearly visible to intending passengers and have good access and egress for taxi vehicles. When determining taxi rank locations, there are often tradeoffs between providing optimum pedestrian access and optimum vehicle access. When tradeoffs need to be made, it is preferred that pedestrian access is favoured over vehicle access. For example, at railway stations, best practice would be for the rank to be located close to the platform entry and exit points thereby serving passenger needs. Ideally this location would also have a high level of access and egress for taxi vehicles. If this is not possible, then the passenger needs should be met first. There will be situations where the optimum location for pedestrian access will mean that taxi access will be significantly less than ideal. This is particularly relevant for ranks outside large office buildings where the predominant direction of travel is in the opposite direction to the rank. If U turns are not permitted or are difficult to make, drivers will either take risks or need to travel extended routes. The options to address this issue are to: Facilitate safe U turns for taxis, where this can be achieved without detriment to other road users. Provide a rank on the opposite side of the road and provide significantly improved pedestrian access facilities, or Provide a rank on both sides of the road with pedestrian access facilities. NSW Taxi Council 8

9 At suburban railway stations a choice needs to be made on which side of the station the taxi rank should be. At many stations, the choice will be clear as the pedestrian activity will be occurring predominantly on one side due to adjoining facilities such as bus interchanges and retail areas. At larger stations where there is a higher taxi demand, it may be appropriate to have taxi ranks on both sides of the station if they have similar levels of pedestrian activity, land use and vehicle access. Number of taxi vehicle positions The optimum number of taxi vehicle positions on the taxi rank will be determined by the passenger demand in the specific location. Information relating to the taxi rank peak usage is available from taxi networks. Of course, the number of positions will determine the maximum number of passengers that can be loaded into taxis at any one time. Venues such as sporting/musical events, Airports etc. will require a large number of positions to cater for the large volume of passengers exiting the site in a short space of time. Some of these venues will also require a feeder rank and/or taxi holding facility. Security The security of passengers and drivers at taxi ranks is of paramount importance. The location of each taxi rank will determine the levels or security arrangements required for each location. Risk assessments of each location will need to be conducted by local Policing agencies taking into consideration any recorded incidents. The ability to investigate any incidents by gathering accurate information is important in any post critical incident management. For this reason, CCTV will play a large role in reducing incidents of an aggressive nature and providing definitive information during investigations. The location of a taxi rank will play an important part in the security of passengers and drivers. If a taxi rank is located in a dark out of the way location, there is likely to be an increase in vandalism and illegal/aggressive activity. There are many factors to consider with regards to the Security of passengers and drivers and the following questions should be considered: Has a risk assessment of the taxi rank been conducted? Is there appropriate lighting at the taxi rank covering the rank and the immediate vicinity? Are there regular Police/Security Patrols of the taxi rank? Is the taxi rank covered by CCTV? Do emergency communications devices exist? Is there appropriate signage advising of CCTV coverage? Is there signage advising of taxi network contact details? Should the rank be considered for the Secure Rank program? NSW Taxi Council 9

10 Has any local crime been reported to Police and taxi networks by taxi drivers or passengers? Is the rank regularly visited by Quality Liaison Officers, MoT authorised officers, transit police or other authorised officer? Do local licensed venues have security staff adjacent or close to the rank? Vehicle Needs Whilst taxi ranks need to be designed to accommodate the needs of passengers, careful consideration should also be given to the needs of the taxi vehicles. Taxis need to be able to stand, wait and pull away from the taxi rank in a safe manner and with easy ingress and egress to and from the rank. Vehicle positions should be easily accessible with enough space allocated for luggage to be loaded from the rear of the taxi whilst not interfering with the taxi in the vehicle position immediately behind. Ingress and egress routes should cater for the predominant directions taxis could feasibly be expected to transport passengers to and from. At Transport Interchanges, consideration should be given to pedestrian and other vehicular activity at taxi exit points to ensure taxis can exit the rank without delay or risk of collision. Bus lanes located within transport interchanges should allow transit access for taxis to better cater for quicker access to and from the taxi rank. Kiss and drop zones should ideally be separate from taxi ranks to ensure private motorists are not setting down or picking up in taxi ranks. If there are no other options other than to have kiss and drop zones combined with taxis, the taxi zone should be placed in front of the parking bays to prevent private vehicles from parking at the head of the taxi rank. Taxi ranks should be designed to minimise impacts on other road users. This can usually be engineered through well designed areas for access to and from the rank. However, there are times when a rank is full and some taxi drivers still want to form a queue beyond the rear of the rank. Drivers sometimes illegally double park, or illegally park in an adjoining or adjacent loading zone, bus zone, no stopping area, or turn across lanes in an inappropriate manner, increasing the risk of collision or sudden braking by other vehicles. As taxis exit a rank, there should be sufficient space for them to make the appropriate lane choice before reaching the next intersection. If the rank is on a busy road in a central business area a reasonable setback distance from an intersection will be required. However if the rank is at a railway station where traffic volumes are quite low, then a short setback from an intersection could still allow drivers to manoeuvre into the appropriate lane. NSW Taxi Council 10

11 Capacity The most suitable parking arrangement at taxi ranks is parallel to the kerb with the passenger side of the taxi nearest to the kerbside. This allows taxis at the head of the queue to exit the rank easily and the other taxis can then move forward accordingly. Angle parking of taxis does not easily allow for this and hence is not recommended. The size and layout of taxi ranks will primarily depend upon available space and the demand for taxi services. When designing or upgrading a taxi rank an assessment of the likely demand will need to be undertaken and the size of the rank designed to meet this demand. If there is insufficient space to have a rank of the determined capacity, a feeder rank should be considered. The general principal is for vehicles to proceed from a holding bay to a feeder and then to the rank depending upon the peak usage rate of the taxi rank. The use of holding bays/feeders is often used at airports and at large railway stations where the demand for taxis is very high over short periods of time. Secure rank staff managing taxis and passengers NSW Taxi Council 11

12 Changes to taxi ranks There are many occasions when changes may need to be made to taxi rank/feeder/holding bay arrangements. While each type of taxi rank will have its own special considerations, certain principles relating to passenger and taxi facilities apply to all. These guidelines focus on the principles and their most common application and should be considered particularly when dealing with planning for new developments or facilities. Some of these occasions include, but are not limited to: Increasing taxi rank capacity Temporary taxi rank relocation due to local works Permanent taxi rank relocation as part of a major project Increase in feeder capacity Increase in holding bay capacity Establishment of a new taxi rank based upon passenger demand or local development In the event that taxi operations will be affected, to allow subject matter experts to be engaged in the planning process contact should be made with the NSW Taxi Council in the first instance. As previously mentioned, local taxi networks and taxi drivers become very familiar with taxi rank arrangements in their local regions and are a valuable information resource. Opportunities for improving taxi ranks will come about when streetscape upgrades occur, entertainment precincts are renewed and railway stations facilities are improved. When new pedestrian generators or attractors are constructed, such as major office buildings or large hotels, there is often a need for new taxi ranks to serve these buildings. Upgrading ranks to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act will provide another opportunity to review existing taxi ranks and their operation. Local Businesses Local businesses can benefit greatly when located at or near a taxi rank. Passengers will often use retail outlets whilst in the process of proceeding to the nearby taxi rank, therefore increasing potential patronage. Whilst most retailers will be pleased to have a retail outlet collocated with a taxi rank, it should be noted by planning authorities when reviewing Development Applications (DA s) or a change of business lease or ownership that the relevant parties are made aware of the taxi rank location. The establishment of a new development or change of type of local businesses should not be the determinant factor in the relocation of a taxi rank. Potential business owners should be made aware of the fact that unsociable and unruly behaviour can sometimes occur in the quiet hours when outlets are closed for business and should carefully consider this when making application. NSW Taxi Council 12

13 Taxi rank staff Commissionaires The NSW Taxi Council provides trained Commissionaires at selected taxi ranks in the Sydney CBD. Commissionaires complete a training course allowing them to effectively manage a taxi rank competently ensuring the rights and obligations of passengers and taxi drivers are met at all times. Quality Liaison Officers (QLO's) The NSW Taxi Council employ QLO s to conduct covert and overt compliance inspections of taxis and taxi drivers. Secure Taxi Ranks In NSW, the NSW Ministry of Transport (MoT) in conjunction with the NSW Taxi Council has introduced Secure Taxi Ranks. Secure Taxi Ranks are approved and administered by the MoT after a formal application raised by local authorities (taxi networks, councils, RTA, Police etc.) has been formally approved. Qualified Security Officers work on these ranks at specific days and times to ensure the rank operates safely and efficiently. A list of NSW Secure Ranks is available on at A NSW Taxi Council Quality Liaison Officer inspecting taxis NSW Taxi Council 13

14 SecureCab Scheme In NSW, registered licensed venues are able to participate in the SecureCab scheme which provides a system of passenger registration by means of a docket system. The process has been successfully adopted to provide greater safety for both passengers and taxi drivers. The passengers obtain a registered docket from the licensed premises reception/bar once their correct name and contact details are provided. The docket number is then provided to the passenger who in turn hands the docket number to the taxi driver. The scheme has been successful in reducing the number of passengers evading fares and committing other offences against taxi drivers has also provided a means of ensuring the correct passenger gets the taxi that they have booked. Many participating venues have dedicated SecureCab taxi rank facilities. Details of the SecureCab scheme are available by contacting the NSW Taxi Council. SecureCab Logo Taxi Users Charter of rights: Clause 118 of the NSW Passenger Transport Regulations 2007 stipulates that a Charter of Rights must be displayed in all NSW Taxis. The NSW Taxi Council issues a Charter of Rights label to operators of taxis that are affixed to the taxi in a position that can be clearly read by any passengers. Passengers may provide feedback regarding their taxi journey by calling NSW Taxi Council 14

15 Charter of rights label in all NSW Taxis Summary Thank you for taking the time to read this guide and understanding the many facets involved in the assessment of current taxi ranks or the planning required prior to the establishment or relocation of taxi ranks. As previously covered, there are many stakeholders involved in the planning of a taxi rank all of whom have internal organisational obligations. As the peak taxi industry body in NSW, the NSW Taxi Council should be contacted by organisations planning taxi ranks in NSW. The NSW Taxi Council has access to all taxi networks in NSW to disseminate information and provide professional advice with regards to taxi ranks and taxi operations. It is important to the taxi industry and NSW Passengers that a consistency of approach is adopted to ensure that passengers and taxi drivers are being provided with the best possible service. The attached check list will assist you to assess a current taxi rank and provide you with criteria to be considered when planning to establish a new taxi rank. Again, thank you for taking the time to read this important guide. Please make contact with the NSW Taxi Council at the contact details below for any issues relating to taxi ranks or their associated operation. NSW Taxi Council 15

16 NSW Taxi Council contact details Address: 152 Riley Street, East Sydney NSW 2010, Australia Phone: (02) Fax: (02) Contact: Website: NSW Taxi Council 16

17 Checklist for NSW Taxi Ranks Rank Suburb: Rank Location: Nearest side Street: Location concerns: Item Yes/No Remarks Way finding Signage Regulatory Signage Local network signage (taxi numbers) Other signage (security, CCTV, safe lifting etc.) Disability Signage Disability Access Ramp/s Disability Road Marking Tactile tiles Kerbside height Number of Bays Secure Rank Line marking (where required) Driver amenities (toilets, water etc.) CCTV Coverage Visibility of rank for passengers Vehicle egress routes from the rank Vehicle ingress routes to the rank Taxi Feeders Pedestrian Access Gradient to/from the rank Appropriate Lighting Shelter Seating Passenger approach to head of rank Taxi Holding area Trolley stowage POINTS OF CONTACT NSW Taxi Council 17