Brighton Station taxi rank

[Herr Tubthumper]

It's much better at the side of the station isn't it?

The front of the station isn't really designed for this...whereas the rear drop-off and pick-up (by definition) is. Common sense really, so let's hope this temp measure is made permanent.

And maybe they could do something more useful with the front space instead of an unsightly and chaotic taxi queue snaking around and overspilling onto Queens Rd? A very nice public space could be arranged under the Victorian canopy.

 

[Vicar!]

Even better if they didn't insist on parking in the middle of the pedestrian crossing at the front of the station leaving the public to squeeze round them or walk right in front of the buses.

 

[gullshark]

It needs to be a community garden.

 

[Bigtomfu]

I thought a couple of years ago Southern applied for planning persmission to make this change permanent and replace the taxi rank with a shopping centre complete with Mezzanine restaurant level but permission was denied?

 

[AMEXican Wave]

Seems to add about £2 to my fare from the station

 

[severnside gull]

Back in the day (when I used to travel down on the Brighton Belle then get a three farthings trolley-bus ride down to Lewes Road) the concourse under the canopy was just that - no traffic except for the little railway goods trolleys and plenty of room for people.

Is the gents hairdressers still down the steps under the arches? (wistful)

 

[TS90]

Traffic is flowing much better since they've moved. Better this way.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Seems to add about £2 to my fare from the station

... but it's now a lot quicker to get from the Station to Withdean on a matchday. It saves money going via Preston Circus and Preston Road, instead of the Dyke Road route they used from the old rank.

 

[fataddick]

Whilst it might be advantageous to some, and cheaper on matchdays (although I've always found the swervy backstreets between Dyke Road and train line route most decent cabbies take to be both fast and cheap), I think more people are going to be paying more. Assuming many who live in Northern parts of Brighton use Preston Park station, and that as well as people who live South of the centre, you have those getting cabs to pubs/clubs/restaurants/venues, which are predominantly South of the station, I think most people will be paying £1-£2 extra for negotatiating the chicanes from the station car park to humanity. There's also those with luggage, pushchairs, the elderly/disabled (ie those more likely to need a taxi) to consider as the walk from the ticket gates to the side rank is at least four times the length of the walk to the front rank - not an issue to strapping healthy types, but it is to those mentioned above. Plus the fact that some people get cabs when there's no bus they want on the way, or get the bus when the cab rank's empty, which is much more of a hassle when they're not adjacent. Plus following the taxi signs to the front rank opens visitors out onto a bustling busy city with pubs, public transport and shops all on a display. This is first time visitors' first impression of the city, and I'd far rather (in terms of tourism money that the whole city needs to thrive) this was their first impression rather than a pissant carpark more reminiscent of Milton Keynes. So, in summary, the side rank sucks, front rank rules...

 

[NMH]

Whilst it might be advantageous to some, and cheaper on matchdays (although I've always found the swervy backstreets between Dyke Road and train line route most decent cabbies take to be both fast and cheap), I think more people are going to be paying more. Assuming many who live in Northern parts of Brighton use Preston Park station, and that as well as people who live South of the centre, you have those getting cabs to pubs/clubs/restaurants/venues, which are predominantly South of the station, I think most people will be paying £1-£2 extra for negotatiating the chicanes from the station car park to humanity. There's also those with luggage, pushchairs, the elderly/disabled (ie those more likely to need a taxi) to consider as the walk from the ticket gates to the side rank is at least four times the length of the walk to the front rank - not an issue to strapping healthy types, but it is to those mentioned above. Plus the fact that some people get cabs when there's no bus they want on the way, or get the bus when the cab rank's empty, which is much more of a hassle when they're not adjacent. Plus following the taxi signs to the front rank opens visitors out onto a bustling busy city with pubs, public transport and shops all on a display. This is first time visitors' first impression of the city, and I'd far rather (in terms of tourism money that the whole city needs to thrive) this was their first impression rather than a pissant carpark more reminiscent of Milton Keynes. So, in summary, the side rank sucks, front rank rules...

But the places South of the station are so close to walk to - and before you say that's depriving the drivers of fares, one of their big beefs is taking people to West Street for a few measly quid fare then having to go to the back of the ranks again and wait 45 minutes. Imagine that hourly wage and having to burn petrol, wear out rubber and generally maintain a depreciating vehicle eh?

 

[fataddick]

But the places South of the station are so close to walk to - and before you say that's depriving the drivers of fares, one of their big beefs is taking people to West Street for a few measly quid fare then having to go to the back of the ranks again and wait 45 minutes. Imagine that hourly wage and having to burn petrol, wear out rubber and generally maintain a depreciating vehicle eh?

I see where you're coming from, but (a) out of towners might not know how close West Street or wherever is, and (b) those drivers who work the station rank choose to do so, even paying £400 a year for the priviledge. If I was a cabbie I'd avoid the station and East Street ranks altogether and park up at one of the ranks that usually have no (or most two) cabs on, eg the Sealife Centre, Royal Albion Hotel, Clock Tower, etc. At least they wouldn't be in a queue for half an hour. I suspect a lot of those that use the station rank do it because the odd long journey makes up for the (majority of) piddling ones, eg I've had to get cabs to Gatwick for a flight from there a couple of times when the trains have been cancelled because a car's hit a bridge or something, and I imagine loads of people do likewise in such situations.

 

[fataddick]

I'd also challenge your assertion that places South of the station are easy to walk to, I mean geographically South in all directions, eg including Kemp Town, the Marina, Rottingdean, Palmeira Square, etc... all of which would cost an extra quid or so more from the side rank.

 

[NMH]

I'd also challenge your assertion that places South of the station are easy to walk to, I mean geographically South in directions, eg including Kemp Town, the Marina, Rottingdean, Palmeira Square, etc... all of which would cost an extra quid or so more from the side rank.

Palmeira can be accessed easy, going via 7 dials - so I don't think that's more expensive for one. Rottingdean by Bear Road to Woodingdean is not further surely? It'd be cheaper than the congested seafront I reckon!

And; that visitors don't know the distance to walk from the station to the West Street hub is their problem. They probably wouldn't know the location of the pub under the station, but that's no reason why they ought to be taken by taxi!

Yes the drivers choose to pay for the station rank - but of course they have to in order to work at certain busy periods of the day. If they sequester themselves to St Peter's/Level rank or Clock Tower they're going to be sitting twiddling their thumbs at several times of day.

 

[Return of the Rev]

picking up at the hotels then dropping off round the back of station gonna get alot of grief and punters jumping out on queens road

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Whilst it might be advantageous to some, and cheaper on matchdays (although I've always found the swervy backstreets between Dyke Road and train line route most decent cabbies take to be both fast and cheap), I think more people are going to be paying more. Assuming many who live in Northern parts of Brighton use Preston Park station, and that as well as people who live South of the centre, you have those getting cabs to pubs/clubs/restaurants/venues, which are predominantly South of the station, I think most people will be paying £1-£2 extra for negotatiating the chicanes from the station car park to humanity. There's also those with luggage, pushchairs, the elderly/disabled (ie those more likely to need a taxi) to consider as the walk from the ticket gates to the side rank is at least four times the length of the walk to the front rank - not an issue to strapping healthy types, but it is to those mentioned above. Plus the fact that some people get cabs when there's no bus they want on the way, or get the bus when the cab rank's empty, which is much more of a hassle when they're not adjacent. Plus following the taxi signs to the front rank opens visitors out onto a bustling busy city with pubs, public transport and shops all on a display. This is first time visitors' first impression of the city, and I'd far rather (in terms of tourism money that the whole city needs to thrive) this was their first impression rather than a pissant carpark more reminiscent of Milton Keynes. So, in summary, the side rank sucks, front rank rules...

Some valid points but all minor in my opinion. I still think the overall benefit of having a nice public space open at the front of the station with an orderly queue of cabs round the back is more preferable than the chaotic scenes at the front.

Let's face it, the front is not designed for traffic..it never has been...but the back is.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

punters jumping out on queens road

This happens anyway. I'm always dropped off at random places close to the station front when I cab it to the station.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I thought a couple of years ago Southern applied for planning persmission to make this change permanent and replace the taxi rank with a shopping centre complete with Mezzanine restaurant level but permission was denied?

I'm not suggesting a bloody shopping centre (I might consent to a nice big department store though, as I can never find anything I want in Brighton). A nice open public space is what I require.

 

[Notters]

Where are people picking up and dropping off supposed to go if this area is full of cabs?!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Where are people picking up and dropping off supposedm to go if this area is full of cabs?!

There's plenty of room round the tradesmen's for both public pick-up and drop-off and taxis. They can co-exist. I guess the seemingly weekly bus replacement service might need to find somewhere else to go but then there are plenty of bus stops out the front. Alternatively the rail network could resolve the maintenance issue once and for all ...although this is a bit too obvious.

 

[The Large One]

I'm not suggesting a bloody shopping centre (I might consent to a nice big department store though, as I can never find anything I want in Brighton). A nice open public space is what I require.

Or a market.