Taxi Driver Online

Gatwick Airport workers forced to pay more to get to work



AIRPORT workers are having to pay higher fares to get to work and taxi companies are fearful of losing business after access to a popular drop-off and pick-up point was stopped.

Within the last fortnight signs have been installed at the entry route to Concorde House, at the airport's South Terminal, stating no unauthorised access is allowed and that any drivers caught travelling down there will receive penalty points on their licence.

It is popular with cabin crew and other employees at Gatwick Airport who live in Crawley as it is closer to the town than the main entrances to either the South or North Terminal.

A journey from Crawley to Concorde House would cost about £6 compared to the standard £10 fare to one of the terminals.

This means airport staff are having to pay £8 extra for a return journey.

Liam Marshall-Ascough, a borough councillor and a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member, said: "It is increasing the cost of getting to work for a lot of people, and I think that is wrong."

The News contacted private hire taxi companies across the town and they unanimously said they were unhappy with the airport's ban.

James Khan, owner of Ace Cars, said: "One of my drivers was first stopped by a traffic warden about a fortnight ago.

"We had a pilot waiting to be picked up to go to Heathrow and my driver was told he could not travel to Concorde House to meet him.

"Most of our airport pick-ups were from Concorde House.

"Now airport workers are having to either come to the South Terminal or make their way to the roundabout (at the junction of Gatwick Road and the A23), which they are not happy to do especially with how cold it has been.

"It is affecting all the private-hire companies in Crawley because instead of using our service, airport employees are now looking at whether it is cheaper for them to get the bus."

Mike Brown, manager at United Cars based in the High Street, said Concorde House had been a regular destination for taxi firms in Crawley for the last 18 years.

He said: "A member of cabin crew told one of our drivers that this decision will now cost her £85 more a month to get to work and back again.

"It is out of our hands, though. We have been told our drivers will be given three penalty points if they attempt to drive to Concorde House."

A Crawley Borough Council spokesman said the taxi ban was due to building work taking place and the council had been asked to contact private-hire firms about the decision on Gatwick's behalf.

A Gatwick spokesman added: "As part of Gatwick's wider transformation, which will create a greater experience for both passengers and airport workers, taxis will no longer be able to drop-off or pick-up at Concorde House until 2015/16."


Read more: http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Gatwick-A ... z2QAmqVwTO

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Gatwick Airport Concorde House row - taxis to be allowed access to Atlantic House


GATWICK Airport has moved to appease angry staff and taxi drivers frustrated at being banned from accessing a popular drop-off and pick-up point - by saying they will soon be able to be dropped off at another building.

Last week the Crawley News revealed how signs had been installed at the entry route to Concorde House, at the back of the airport’s South Terminal, stating that no unauthorised access was allowed.

They also warned that any drivers caught travelling down there would receive penalty points on their licence.

The location has been popular with cabin crew and other airport employees who live in Crawley because it is closer to the town than the entrance to the South or North terminals.

Staff contacted the News to express their anger at having to pay an extra £8 for a return journey to one of the terminal entrances.

In the past week a petition has been set up by Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member and Southgate councillor Liam Marshall-Ascough calling for the decision to be reversed.

This received more than 200 signatures in 24 hours and gained the support of Crawley’s MP Henry Smith.

Since hearing the level of concern at the decision, airport representatives have clarified their longer-term position.

However, a spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said it is essential the flow of traffic to Concorde House is managed while improvement work is completed.

This means taxis and cars will have to use either terminal entrance until the summer, although airline crew buses will still go directly to Concorde House.

From July taxis and cars will be able to drop off and pick up from Atlantic House, the new base for crew facilities, where airline buses will also arrive.

This is also located on Perimeter Road East, past Concorde House, through the tunnel located there.

Ryan Grice, vice-chairman of the Hackney Carriage Association, said this announcement is good news for the town’s taxi drivers but he questioned why it has taken so long to be shared.

He said: “I have been a taxi driver for 12 years and even before that, when taking family and friends to Gatwick, Concorde House has always been my location for the South Terminal.

“I think customers will see very similar fares to Atlantic House as they pay to go to and from Concorde House.

“If there is any difference in price I would say a journey will be only 40p or 60p more expensive.

“This is good news but why couldn’t Gatwick Airport Limited have told everyone this from the off? They have caused a lot of frustration by simply installing these signs and not sharing the full plans.”


Read more: http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Gatwick-A ... z2QkCOkqMa

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Penalty points from whom?

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Grandad,

I'm guessing the Airport Fairy.

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IDFIMH