Townsville revellers turn on to secure cab rank

More than 14,000 Townsville revellers have used the city’s new secure rank to take a safe trip home in the first five months of operation.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister, Desley Boyle, said secure ranks in regional centres – an election commitment from the Beattie Government – had proven a huge success since their introduction last November.

“People have shown in huge numbers that they appreciate having the secure ranks available on Friday and Saturday nights, staffed with security officers and taxi marshals,” she said.

“That includes 14,400 people who have used the new secure rank in Townsville.

“The marshals are able to organise trips and ensure that more people are carried more quickly, keeping waiting times to a minimum.

“Where required, closed circuit TV cameras are also in place and, of course, all Townsville cabs have been fitted with security cameras under another State Government initiative.

“Taxi drivers have been strongly servicing the secure rank where they know they will get fares quickly and with a minimum of fuss,” Ms Boyle said.

She said that since secure ranks were established in November, 2006, in Cairns, Townsville, the SunshineCoast and the Gold Coast, they had helped nearly 160,000 regional partygoers to get home safely.

“The secure rank will obviously not be needed on Good Friday, but will operate instead on Thursday night and Easter Saturday night,” Ms Boyle said.

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