Member Article

Teen Safety & Phoenix Taxis

In the autumn of last year, Phoenix taxis launched ‘Teen Safe’, a campaign aimed to make young adults, schools and parents aware of the importance of staying safe on nights out. With over 20 years of experience, we at Phoenix are aware of the problems that young people face when they start going to parties, bars and clubs for the first time. As a result we feel compelled to provide a superior service for young and potentially vulnerable people.

With this in mind, we approached schools we thought would be willing to take up the idea for their students, we were wrong. With only the backing of one school fully embracing the concept, but we are very grateful to Blyth Community College for all their enthusiasm and to Astley High who picked up our cards.

So why didn’t it work? We found that schools turn a blind eye to the fact that their students are drinking, many underage, and believe that making them aware of our service, would encourage them to drink illegally and on weeknights. However we feel like it is something we cannot push aside and ignore.

There has been a rise in sixth form and college students drinking due to many bars now opening on Mondays and Thursdays promoting their ‘End of Exam’ or ‘Half Term’ parties, proms and 18thBirthdays which are becoming more popular than ever before, this has also lead to the rise in robberies and sexual assaults from members of the public illegally posing as taxi drivers.

So what do we aim to do? We are not writing last year’s teen safe off as a fail. We intend to learn from our mistakes and ask for feedback on how we could improve, and hope that not only schools; but bars, sports centres, out of school clubs and most of all the students themselves will realise the importance of staying safe on nights out.

So what can you do? By ringing Phoenix Taxis on (01670) 540 222 and quoting “Teen Safety” you will immediately be made top priority, despite how busy we are, and even receive a 10% discount on the fare. With a text back service, young customers will know when their taxi has been dispatched with the car make, model and registration number. You can also book in advance and in addition, all cars are equipped to take card payments. It always seems like a nightmare when you find yourself stranded and having spent up on the night out, but Phoenix will still come out under the scheme and payment can be made later.

So put one of our numbers into your phone now, you never known when you might need us.

Blyth: (01670) 540 222
Cramlington: (01670) 73 00 00
Morpeth: (01670) 333 000
Bedlington: (01670) 79 79 79
Seaton Delaval: (0191) 237 77 77
Ashington: (01670) 817 900

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy Richardson .