Numerous taxi trips of a little over 500ft for county council staff have cost Lincolnshire taxpayers £42,000 in the last six years.
The county council paid the bill for the 524ft shuttles between two of its buildings in Lincoln because “it’s not a particularly pleasant place to walk” and “safety concerns” had been raised by staff.
Police told one national newspaper that there had been no reports of “attacks or serious crime” along the route of the taxi service, which runs from November to March.
Zoe Butler, head of the council’s customer service centre, said safety concerns were raised by staff who walk to and from Witham Park House and the Spa Road area during the winter.
She said: “The majority of our staff are female and, as a responsible employer, the council agreed to provide transport from November until March at the beginning and end of the day.”
But the taxi trips are ending.
Ms Butler said the road will be upgraded this year, making it a safer walking route, and “remove the need for transport in future years”.