B767-300 and 300 ER
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
It was after sunset when Aircraft X landed and was rolling out. My Ground Controller was busy with multiple tasks; including a clearance he was about to start reading. I gave the taxiway a quick scan and decided I was going to exit Aircraft X in front of his ramp and have him taxi into parking while monitoring ground (instead of stopping; calling and waiting). I loudly said to Ground Control 'Aircraft X to parking with me'. The ground controller working at the time is one of the best we have and I assumed he would say something if there was a problem. I told Aircraft X to 'turn right at [taxiway]; cross 31R and taxi to parking via A; monitor ground point niner on your way in'. Aircraft X crossed 31R partially then did not continue on to the A Taxiway. I heard Aircraft X say out of Ground Control's speaker 'hey; Ground; did you know about this Cessna?' I looked up to see a taxing Cessna pass in front of Aircraft X; left to right. My Ground Controller was obviously upset. Aircraft X taxied to parking without further incident.At [tower] we have a cultural practice of holding on to aircraft to parking; if it is close to the runway exit point. (taxiing aircraft to parking on tower frequency) It is generally accepted and most controllers here do it; under the premise that it provides better service. A few are against it and now I see why. It was dark when this occurred; which further increased the chances of the taxiing Cessna being missed with a quick scan of the taxiway.I have now joined the ranks of the few controllers who won't taxi them in on ground. I plan to bring this up at the next local safety council meeting and advise against the practice to my coworkers.
Local Controller issued taxi instructions to an aircraft instead of switching the aircraft to Ground Control frequency to receive the taxi instructions. Reporter states this is a common practice at this facility in certain circumstances. Ground Control had traffic taxiing in confliction with the aircraft Local Control issued taxi instructions to. The pilot noticed the traffic and stopped on the taxiway and asked the Tower if they knew about the conflicting traffic.