Airport bosses bid to cut number of taxis waiting on side streets
BOSSES at Manchester Airport say they are taking steps to curb congestion on nearby streets by cutting the cost of a dedicated waiting area for cabbies.
But it’s raised debate over whether taxi drivers should be charged at all while they wait to collect passengers.
The dedicated zone at JetParks on Thorley Lane is a place for private hire and taxi drivers to wait for fares, either after dropping off passengers at the airport or if their fare’s flight is delayed.
It’s aimed at deterring drivers from waiting on Wythenshawe’s residential streets, adding to congestion on busy roads.
The airport has also teamed up with Cheshire Police and the council to combat dodgy parking firms who use the streets to park passenger cars.
Previously, the waiting zone has cost cabbies £1 for up to an hour, £1.50 for up to two and £2 for three – past which point there’s a £50 fine. But now airport bosses have slashed the fees in half, meaning it costs £1 for up to three hours.
The offer will last throughout the summer holidays when passenger numbers are highest, with bosses saying the fee pays for upkeep of the facility, including a hot drinks machine, indoor seating, toilets and flight information screens. It’s open 24 hours.
Private hire firms are being contacted directly by the airport with details of how they can use the scheme. If the trial is a success, the airport will offer the discounts during future busy periods.
Manchester Airport’s statement on the discount quoted driver Zaheer Aslam, who said: “That’s absolutely brilliant news. Didn’t know this place existed. Great to use the toilet, etc. Well done to everyone involved sorting this out.”
But Anees Shakell, a private hire driver from Oldham, questioned whether drivers should be charged at all.
He told the M.E.N.: “I use the waiting zone about three times a week and I have to say I think it should be free. If the car park was free then taxi drivers would have no need to scatter around Wythenshawe, disturbing the people who live there.
“Why does the waiting zone cost so much for maintenance? I think the airport are being a bit tight. If anything, we taxi drivers are helping by clearing people out of the airport. Why should we pay to pick up customers?”
Anees says he also takes issue with the £6 he has to pay to access a short stay car park to pick up passengers. Although this fee is passed on to the customer, if a passenger cancels, he’s left with the bill. Atif Javed, a private hire driver from Oldham, who picks up fares from the airport every day, said: “Every time we pick up a passenger we have to pay £6, why are we being charged that?
“The waiting area is a good thing but I think it should be free. There are toilets but they are really dirty and I don’t think they are ever cleaned. There should be somewhere to prepare food if we are waiting for three hours and paying for it.”
Airport managing director, Chris Woodroofe, said: “We understand that for taxi drivers, particularly those based some distance from the airport, it makes financial sense to wait in the area for a return fare rather than to make the return journey without a passenger.
“However, when a high number of private hire vehicles wait in neighbouring residential areas, it can create congestion and increase the risk of inconsiderate or illegal parking.
“That is why we have introduced this scheme for the summer holiday period, which we expect will alleviate pressure on street parking capacity in areas such as Wythenshawe and Woodhouse Park, by providing an affordable alternative for commercial drivers who need to remain in the area for extended periods.”