In Nottinghamshire, a new late night transport scheme is running in Mansfield, by the council, Stagecoach buses and MALV (Mansfield Area Late Night Venues).
The new Nite Rider buses, taxi marshals and road restrictions are an effort to cut anti social behaviour, making it safer and easier for people to get home after a night out in Mansfield. Coun Andre Camilleri, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection at Mansfield District Council, who was in town to witness the first night of the scheme until 2am on Friday said he was delighted following the first weekend’s success. "It all seems to have gone really well this first weekend. The traffic restrictions made a massive difference to both the taxi trade and the thousands of people out at night and there was no trouble on the buses. The taxis were able to go about their business much more easily with less traffic along Clumber and Leeming Street. We hope that this continues to make a great difference."
The new Nite Rider bus initiative is aimed at reducing anti social behaviour which often occurs when people are unable to get home after a night out. The scheme also includes other measures, such as introducing traffic restrictions along Clumber Street and Leeming Street – Mansfield’s busiest entertainment area – between 11pm and 4am seven days a week. Only buses and taxis are allowed access, except vehicles legitimately exiting Clumber Street Car Park and disabled badge holders. The Nite Rider Buses are double deckers with CCTV on both the top and lower decks. They are operated by Stagecoach and run five routes on the hour between midnight and 3am from Leeming Street.
The taxi ranks on Clumber Street, which have been extended, are now monitored by two taxi marshals to ensure people queue safely, while the Leeming Street ranks will be closed for night time use to make way for the new buses. The marshals, who are provided by Broadway Security (Midlands) Ltd are recognisable by their high visibility jackets and carry radios linked to the CCTV control room at the Civic Centre. They have been funded through the Liveability Fund until the end of January. If the scheme is successful it could be extended. CCTV cameras in taxis are also being considered and a meeting was held on November 1 at the Civic Centre for the taxi trade and the Council to look at what CCTV suppliers can offer. Up to 10,000 people flock to Mansfield to sample the night life, but many people struggle to get a taxi home and previously there was no other late night transport. It is hoped the buses will relieve some of the pressure on the taxis and enable people to get home much quicker. The new Nite Rider scheme will initially operate on a three month trial every Friday and Saturday, but could be extended if it proves successful.
What they say
Coun Andre Camilleri added: "This is the first time all the partner agencies, such as the police, the County Council, Stagecoach and Malv have organised something like this before and it proves that when we all work together we can make it work well. It is alright talking about things, but you have got to put your ideas into action and make it work. Everyone who worked as a team to get this initiative off the ground should be proud, and we hope that it carries on being as successful, if not even more so as more people become familiar with this new scheme.
"It is all about making Mansfield a safer place and ensuring people have a good night in Mansfield and get home safely. Getting home is a big issue and can put people off coming out – hopefully this will encourage more people to enjoy Mansfield. I do understand that people are still using the taxi rank at the bus station late at night however – I would urge people to use the Clumber Street Taxi Rank as this is monitored by marshals and should be more frequently serviced by taxis." Jonno Edwards, Spokesman for MALV was also delighted with the scheme. He said: "The first weekend seemed to go really well. The buses were much busier than I anticipated for this first weekend and I am sure it will get better and better as people get used to the new system. This is the result of three and half years hard work and Malv is delighted it has finally off the ground and people are able to get home more easily – it is better not only for our customers, but the town as a whole."
The Late Night Transport Solutions Working Group, which consists of representatives from Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Mansfield Police, MALV (Mansfield Area Late Night Venues) Stage Coach and representatives from Mansfield Taxi and Private Hire Trade. Funding has been obtained to install CCTV cameras in the late night buses from Nottinghamshire County Council and the Liveability Fund, which was successfully obtained from the Government by Mansfield District Council to improve the town centre.
