Leeds City Council expects to move the taxi rank at Leeds City Station from Princes Square to Bishopgate Street in mid-October, once lifts linking Bishopgate Street and New Station Street open.
The move forms part of the £46.1 million Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway, which covers the main entrance to Leeds City Station and is intended to improve accessibility and capacity around the station gateway. The scheme is being delivered by Leeds City Council for Network Rail, with West Yorkshire Combined Authority as a partner.
The council said on 3 September that the wider gateway is expected to start opening in October 2026. Construction has taken place alongside Network Rail work to reinforce the underground structure beneath New Station Street.
Balfour Beatty is installing and testing lifts between New Station Street and Bishopgate Street, together with lifts serving the cycle hub beneath the station. The street-to-street lifts are expected to open in mid-October, triggering the rank relocation. Lifts for the cycle hub are expected to follow in late October.
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A public-realm area and steps between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street could open sooner, in early to mid-October, if the project partners agree to an early opening.
The Bishopgate Street rank is planned to accommodate six vehicles, compared with three in the permanent design previously planned for the station. Council station information says the new location will provide kerbside passenger access.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority consultation material has said the permanent layout is intended to support accessible boarding on the nearside. It is also designed so taxis can leave independently where a vehicle ahead remains loading.
Princes Square, outside the Aire Street entrance at the rear of the station, is currently identified as the accessible taxi-rank location. That temporary arrangement was introduced after New Station Street was closed to traffic for the paired station projects.
Drivers and operators using the station should expect the operational taxi pick-up point to switch to Bishopgate Street once the new lifts enter service, subject to the stated October timetable.
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