Taxi and bus pick up space combined in Queensland for increased security for customers
A new late-night taxi pick-up zone will provide a safer place to wait for a cab on the Sunshine Coast, alongside a new bus station.
The new taxi zone would be trialled for 12 months alongside the new Maroochydore Bus Station.
Under the trial, pre-booked taxis will now pick up passengers between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights from the bus station.
As of the trial, taxis will no longer service the taxi stop area outside the TAFE campus from 10pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson says it made sense to utilise the new bus station’s facilities after Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson raised concerns about the lack of security at the taxi stop outside the TAFE campus.
Simpson welcomed the trial which will improve safety over the weekend.
“This new taxi zone will ensure people can wait in an area with plenty of lighting and CCTV,” she says.
Pre -booked taxis will stop on the new station’s northbound platform, in front of Sunshine Plaza and there will be clear signage advising exactly where to wait for a taxi.
“Anyone enjoying a night out at local venues need only walk a short distance to the bus station and then have the choice to either catch one of the hourly late-night buses on route 600 or catch a taxi,” she says.
“If you haven’t pre-booked, taxis will remain available from the existing rank on Ocean Street.”
TransLink will work with industry groups including Sunbus and Suncoast Cabs prior to implementation.
The trial will commence on May 30.