TAXI marshals who crack down down on late-night queue jumping and fighting in cab queues are set to be deployed at three of the city's busiest ranks for another year.

A deal has been signed which will see the marshals – who have been credited with cutting late-night crime and disorder – back on the streets by the start of next month.

Funding for the initiative ran out in April but money has now been secured for a further year, with council chiefs aiming to make the service permanent.

Talks are ongoing with police to identify which three ranks will be covered.

City leaders and the taxi trade today welcomed the move.

Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, said: "This is excellent news.

"For the last few weeks, passengers and drivers have been asking what has happened to the marshals and that tells its own story. They made such a difference on the ranks and on the streets.

"Passengers were using the ranks properly, particularly women on their own, and they were kept in good order.

"Taxi drivers themselves were also more likely to use the ranks and it is just a better and safer way of doing things.

"I'm delighted to hear they will be back for the year and I do hope it continues beyond that."

The marshals, dressed in highly visible yellow jackets, have radio links with CCTV operators so that if they spot bad behaviour they can direct police to the area.

The last scheme ran on Friday and Saturday nights from 10.30pm until 4am.

The marshals are tasked with encouraging good behaviour at the ranks, preventing queue-jumping, handing out bus timetables and telling people to finish their takeaways before entering a cab.

Previously, the marshals were in position at Waverley Bridge, Lothian Road and outside the Caledonian Hotel.

The estimated annual cost of the scheme is around £30,000.

Councillor Paul Edie, the city's community safety leader, said: "Following the success and popularity of the transport marshals, we are pleased to announce we have been able to secure funding for this initiative for a year, with an aim to extend this by a further year.

"There will be transport marshals stationed at three of the busiest city centre taxi ranks on Friday and Saturday nights.

"They will be helping people to get home quickly and in safety after a night out in the city centre.

"We are in detailed discussions with the police about where they will be stationed.

"But they will be back in operation over the next few weeks, in time for the busy Festival period."

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Taxi-marshals-win-funding-to.4188288.jp

The full article contains 447 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.