In November 2024, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the relaunch of taxi marshalling at Liverpool Street Station. This initiative has been a game-changer for safety and has made a meaningful impact on efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain how it works, the results so far, and why it’s become an important service in this area.
Support from Partners
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of Eastern City and Aldgate Connect Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) together with the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) funding from City of London Corporation which supports the Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse consortium – Our Safer City – an initiative of the City of London Crime Prevention Association and the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. Their support ensures that this service continues to make a difference.
What Is Taxi Marshalling?
Liverpool Street Station is an extremely busy travel hub, particularly at night. With many groups of people—sometimes intoxicated—passing through, it’s an area where safety concerns can arise, especially for women travelling alone. Taxi marshalling is a service designed to make journeys home safer and more efficient.
The marshals, all licensed black cab drivers, provide several essential services:
Managing and controlling taxi queues: Taxi marshals ensure that people get into licensed taxis and that taxi queues run smoothly. This helps people get home safely, especially those who are vulnerable or alone. Our passengers have commented:
“Very polite and friendly resources running a smooth process.”
“Attentive, well-mannered pleasant marshals. Made my friend and I feel safe – guiding us into our taxi. A credit to London.”
The marshals don’t just guide passengers; they provide reassurance and practical support, such as assisting with luggage or sharing helpful information about destinations. As one user noted: “The marshals let us know where the different cabs were going which was very helpful.” Another said: “Provided me with information about my destination that I wouldn’t otherwise know. I’m very grateful they were there.”
Preventing Conflicts: The marshals work closely with the City of London Police to prevent violence and anti-social behaviour, and support Operation REFRAME. One passenger said: “Very helpful. Stopped other people jumping the queue.”
Another passenger commented: “There were a lot of drunk people around the station and the marshals did make me feel safer. Thank you. I was relieved when I saw them and felt safer immediately.”
An additional passenger said “It was refreshing and comforting to have marshals present in such a busy area.
Encouraging Black Cabs to Attend: Their presence ensures that licensed black cab drivers feel confident operating in the area, even during late-night hours when the environment might otherwise deter them.
Fifteen Months of Taxi Marshalling at Liverpool Street Station
Since its relaunch, the initiative has been a resounding success. Twelve Taxi Marshals working in teams have worked tirelessly from Thursday to Saturday, 10pm to 1am, creating a safe and efficient taxi service. Over the past year, they have facilitated more than 19,000 journeys for 35,000 passengers – an incredible achievement.
Among female passengers, 33% were lone females. In fact, 97.5% of users reported feeling safer during their journey home thanks to this service.
From Thursday 3rd April 2025, the hours will extend from 9pm to 1am, with the usual seasonal extension until 2am over the festive period.
Impact on Women Travelling Alone
The taxi marshalling initiative has been particularly impactful for women travelling alone. Feedback from these passengers underscores its importance:
“As a woman travelling alone, I was really grateful for this service.”
“The marshals made me feel very safe and were really helpful at getting me into a licensed taxi.”
“It’s quite concerning getting taxis in London on my own as a female, and the experience I had with the taxi marshal was really reassuring.”
“Made getting a taxi as two lone women late at night feel safer.”
A Big Thank You to the Marshals
A big thank you to Silvi, Steven, Jackie, Kenny, Leigh, Martin, Patrick, Carlos, Peter, Paul, George and Lee for their dedication and professionalism. Your work has transformed the experience of late-night travel at Liverpool Street Station, making it safer and more inclusive for all.
Spread the Word
The taxi marshalling service is here for everyone – you, your colleagues, friends, and family. Let others know about it and remember to take advantage of this incredible initiative.
As one user put it: “I don’t worry anymore with taxi marshals there. It means I can travel without fear.” Another said: “I wish there were more of these services around London.”
Peter Lavery
Board Member – Prevent Violence against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse – Our Safer City consortium