Anger as airport parking fees rise
BRISTOL Airport has unveiled new parking charges, taking effect from today.
The drop and go car park, which is the most convenient place for leaving passengers quickly and easily, will now cost £5 for up to 10 minutes.
Drivers using the short stay and pick-up car park, opposite the terminal building, will have to pay £5 for up to 20 minutes.
The airport has said the price increase is necessary to reduce financial losses caused by the pandemic.
The new tariffs in full (the new price, followed by the previous price in brackets) :
Up to 10 minutes: £5 (£4) 10-20 minutes: £7 (£6) 20-40 minutes: £10 (£9) 40-60 minutes: £20 (£20)
Short Stay and Pick Up
Up to 20 minutes: £5 (£3.50) 20-40 minutes: £7 (£6) 40-60 minutes: £10 (£9)
1-2 hours: £12 (£11)
There will still be a free waiting zone on the south side of the airport, where drivers can sit for up to one hour when coming to drop off or pick up passengers.
A post on the Bristol Airport Facebook page added that there was also a regular bus service into the city centre from near the terminal.
But people weren’t happy about the changes and made their feelings known by commenting under the Facebook post.
One woman said: “Perhaps Bournemouth, Exeter or Cardiff will be better alternatives for travelling abroad in future.”
Another person commented: “Scandalous rip-off - I understand you are business and need to make money which you are from the car park alone but this is extortionate you’ll end up with people walking to the main A38 and being picked up on the roundabout and will have major implications to safety.
“Nobody minded the £1 for pick up drop off but this is ridiculous!”
Several locals said the price hike would cause havoc for residents in
areas near the airport as it would encourage people to “abandon” their cars in “little lanes” and on verges.
One taxi driver, who said he was coming to the airport up to five times a day, commented: “All us taxi/private hire drivers have nearly gone bust during Ccovid with no work. I’ve had to already increase the fare to the airport from £1 to three then four quid.
“Passengers are not happy with fares going up- ... Why can’t you
help us drivers out as we are bringing you your Passengers. Thanks again for trying to put me under.”
Another man argued that larger airports than Bristol had managed to keep their free drop-off zones, saying: “What a rip-off. You should only charge after 15minutes.
“At Heathrow, you can drop off outside the terminal for free. The attendants move people on swiftly so that other passengers can drop off. No problems or robbing passengers there.”