If you’re going out on the town this Christmas then plan ahead.
That's the message from the council who are wishing all late night revellers a happy but safe festive season.
And the most important message to people out and about in the borough's town centres this Christmas is make sure you get home safely.
Council licensing committee chairman John Hilton says: “Over Christmas and New Year many young people are more likely to let their guard down, particularly if they’ve had alcohol.
"We’ve all heard the nightmare stories about people who are on their way home and flag down an unlicensed taxi.
“So we are urging people to think ahead and bear in mind a few simple rules."
- A licensed taxi has a roof sign with the word taxi on it and a white plate on the back saying Wigan Council Hackney Carriage. These cars can be flagged down in the street or picked up at a taxi rank.
- The other type of vehicle is a private hire car, which will have a yellow plate on the back carrying the words Wigan Council Private Hire Vehicle. These can only be used for journeys that have been pre-booked through an operator.
In both cases drivers should be wearing a badge to show they are licensed and have gone through the necessary criminal record checks.
If the cab does not have these markings people are urged not to use them, to take the vehicle's registration and report it to the police or the council's licensing officers.
To report an unlicensed taxi or private hire vehicle you can call the council's licensing section on 01942 404627.
The council has recently introduced taxi ‘marshalls’ in the town centre to curb anti social behaviour – and they seem to be having the desired effect. Incidents of anti social behaviour are down by a quarter.
Staying out late? Take the bus...
An alternative way of getting home safely is to hop on one of the night buses which run until after 3am in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays from outside Wigan North Western station.
They cost as little as £2 and can take you to many parts of the borough after the regular services have stopped running.
See the table on the right for service times.
Travel tip
If you book a private hire vehicle over the Christmas period it’s a good idea to ask for an estimate of the fare in advance. Unlike taxi fares, which are controlled by the council, private hire vehicles can charge whatever they like for a journey.
Nightbus services operating from outside Wigan North Western railway station
Place served and service details below:
- Leigh - Service 598 - Departs: 1.00am, 2.00am, 3.00am - Route: Wigan, Ince Bar, Hindley, Hindley Green, Tamar, Leigh. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Ashton in Makerfield - Service 600 - Departs: 11.50pm, 12.50am, 1.50am, 2.50am - Route: Wigan, Newtown, Marus Bridge, Bryn Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, Golborne, Abram, Platt Bridge & Wigan. Note: runs via Poolstock not Saddle Junction. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Kitt Green - Service 628 - Departs: 12.10pm, 1.10am, 2.10am, 3.10am - Route: Wigan, Marsh Green, Kitt Green, Norley Hall. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Castle Hill - Service 629 - Departs: 12.35am, 1.35am, 2.35am - Route: Wigan, Spring View, Platt Bridge, Castle Hill & Hindley Green. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Highfield - Service 631 - Departs: 12.40pm, 1.40am, 2.40am, 2.40am - Route: Wigan, Worsley Mesnes, Hawkley Hall, Marus Bridge, Highfield Grange. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Highfield - Service 632 - Departs: 12.10am, 1.10am, 2.10am, 3.10am - Route: Wigan, Pemberton, Highfield Grange, Marus Bridge, Hawkley Hall & Wigan. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Shevington Vale - Service 635 - Departs: 12.20am, 1.20am, 2.20am, 3.20am - Route: Wigan, Shevington, Shevington Vale, Shevington Moor, Standish, Boars Head, Wigan. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
- Up Holland - Service 695 - Departs: 12.30pm, 1.30am, 2.30am, 3.20am - Route: Wigan, Orrell Post, Abbey Lakes, Hall Green, Up Holland. Standard fare £2 per single journey.
Over Christmas and New Year, the services run on Friday 19 December, Saturday 20 December, Saturday 27 December, Wednesday 31 December (New Year’s Eve), Friday 2 January and Saturday 3 January.
On New Year’s Eve the fare is £3.
