Investigation over taxi rail replacement driver at Staffordshire station - found no 'offence disclosed'

The move followed a report by a young female passenger who arrived at unmanned Stone Railway Station in Station Road, Stone, at about 5pm on November 30  to find her train to Stafford was delayed. She was advised by a legitimate taxi driver working for contractor Cosy Cabs that he was operating as a rail replacement, but as she was unsure she did not get into the vehicle.

The matter was then shared on social media resulting in responses by Stafford Borough Police and British Transport Police to address the community's calls for clearer signs relating to rail replacement operators to avoid misunderstandings in future. The force said the passenger and her family had been updated and "no offences had been disclosed".

The Stafford Borough Police posted on Facebook: "There’s been speculation on social media recently about a suspicious incident at Stone Railway Station, and we’d like to provide an update alongside British Transport Police (BTP).We’ve been working alongside our colleagues to investigate after it was reported that a woman was told by a man that he was running a rail replacement service from the station.

"The woman was concerned about advice she was given about a rail replacement service and the legitimacy of a taxi service she was offered, prompting the report to police. We’ve worked alongside BTP to thoroughly investigate this report. We can confirm that a rail replacement service was in place and the taxi was part of that service. No offences have been disclosed and the woman has been updated accordingly.

"We’d encourage anyone who thinks something is suspicious to report it to police immediately. While on this occasion there was nothing untoward, these reports are crucial in helping us to act and keep you safe."

Meanwhile the taxi driver stated on website A Little Bit of Stone: "There was a sign displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard, though the lighting at the station was poor and it may not have been visible from where the woman was standing." 

British Transport Police said: "We're aware of a social media post about a woman who was approached on the platform at Stone railway station on the night of Sunday November 30.

"She was concerned about advice she was given about a rail replacement service and the legitimacy of a taxi service she was offered.

 "Officers take such concerns seriously and have established that a rail replacement service was in place and have no concerns around the taxi. They have spoken to the woman and no offences have been disclosed."

A West Midlands Railway spokesperson added: "The safety of our customers is our main priority. While the vast majority of our train services run as scheduled, when disruption occurs we use local rail replacement transport providers to keep our customers moving.

 “If a passenger at an unstaffed station wants to verify a rail replacement service, we would encourage them to get in touch via our 24/7 social media channels or using a station help point. Anyone who feels unsafe while travelling should contact BTP on 61016.”