HCs warn of fares hike as Arrow Cars takes Newcastle Airport

StuartW · **Joined:** Wed May 16, 2012 6:33 am **Posts:** 18527

So recently Arrow has lost Manchester Airport to StreetCars, but gained Birmingham and now Newcastle.

Looks like Newcastle has been an HC-only scenario, but seems that Arrow will be the only provider at the airport now.

So unlike Edinburgh at the moment, say, which was HC-only for years, then I think was then PH-only, but now has HCs an PHs competing at different 'ranks'.

Recall that a few months ago there was an article from Edinburgh about poaching customers, plying for hire, and more generally various problems and conflicts between the HC and PH sectors at the airport.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33528

According to the comments on the Chronicle's website there seemed to be some sort of quota system in operation at Newcastle, and places were changing hands for £30k, so presumably that's down the pan now. But not sure how the quota was operated - years ago the white airport saloons at Edinburgh had a separate plate issued and restricted by the council (so in effect in a council zone with numbers regulated) but suspect it's not the council that has been controlling numbers at Newcastle, and either the airport itself or the airport taxi association has been operating the quota.

Anyway, well over 50 comments on the Chronicle's website below this story (which is a lot for an article like this on a local website), so have copied some of the more interesting ones below.

Why taxi drivers fear passengers could face higher fares at Newcastle Airport

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... d-16086783

Taxi drivers fear they could lose their livelihoods after losing a long-standing contract

Image: Chronicle Live

Taxi drivers have claimed that passengers could now face higher fares, after losing a long-standing contract to deliver the taxi rank at Newcastle International Airport.

Members of the Airport Taxi Association this week urged Newcastle City Council to intervene, amid a row over national private hire firm Arrow Cars being chosen to take over the airport's service from May.

Airport officials say that Arrow was deemed to offer the best service after a "comprehensive" tender process, and that its prices are expected to be in line with the current fares.

The move means that passengers will no longer be able to hail a cab outside the airport, but will instead have to book a journey online, over the phone, or at a booking office inside the terminal building.

Taxi driver Amir Ahmed told a council meeting this week: "The Newcastle Airport decision will mean that 129 taxi drivers from various councils will lose their livelihoods.

"It will deprive passengers of choice in meeting their transport needs, as well as causing inconvenience for the travelling public, especially for those with disabilities, and will probably increase passengers fares."

He also claimed that the decision was "in breach of the airport's own regulations", would limit passengers' choice, and said that the current drivers were "still working and providing a full service to the public at the airport in the hope that this matter will be resolved".

Fellow driver Zulfaqaar Youssaf added: " Newcastle International Airport has had a taxi rank for 52 years. We are not taxi drivers, we are ambassadors.

"People travel from all over the world to invest money and do business in the North East. We are ambassadors for Newcastle, we are the first point of call."

Coun Nick Kemp, the council's cabinet member for environment, responded that the local authority has no power to intervene in the decision - despite being a shareholder in the airport - but would raise drivers' concerns with airport bosses.

An airport spokesman said: "The tender process for the provision of taxi services at the airport took into account a wide range of criteria and a comprehensive review of all applicants was carried out. Following this Arrow Cars was awarded the contract.

"Arrow Cars scored highly in the process due their product offering, use of the latest technology and investment in a new fleet of vehicles - including those with disabled access. Their wheelchair accessible vehicles will be available for any driver to use when required.

"People travel from all over the world to invest money and do business in the North East. We are ambassadors for Newcastle, we are the first point of call."

Coun Nick Kemp, the council's cabinet member for environment, responded that the local authority has no power to intervene in the decision - despite being a shareholder in the airport - but would raise drivers' concerns with airport bosses.

An airport spokesman said: "The tender process for the provision of taxi services at the airport took into account a wide range of criteria and a comprehensive review of all applicants was carried out. Following this Arrow Cars was awarded the contract.

"Arrow Cars scored highly in the process due their product offering, use of the latest technology and investment in a new fleet of vehicles - including those with disabled access. Their wheelchair accessible vehicles will be available for any driver to use when required.

"We are unable to comment on specific journeys, however overall Arrow Cars pricing is expected to be in line with that of Airport Taxis and other Taxi operators in the area.

"Airport Taxis have signed an addendum to terminate their contract on April 30 and we are working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition to the new provider. Arrow Cars have recruited a large number of drivers from the region including a number from the Airport Taxi Association."

In a letter sent to the ATA, the council added: "The contract with the airport gave you exclusive rights to pick up without pre-booking from the airport because it is on private land to which Newcastle International Airport permit access.

"This arrangement is not one in which the council has a role. While I appreciate your concerns, Newcastle City Council as licensing authority cannot interfere in this process."

David Richmond, Arrow Cars chairman, said last month that the firm was "honoured" to be the first private hire company to be awarded a Newcastle Airport contract.

He added: "We will be investing over £1,800,000 in a large company-owned fleet ranging from executive and business class estate cars to eight-passenger vehicles, allowing Arrow to deliver our unique service to millions of passengers flying in and out of the North East's largest airport."

StuartW · **Joined:** Wed May 16, 2012 6:33 am **Posts:** 18527

Some of the more interesting below the line comments on the Chronicle's website:

Quote:

Current Airport Taxis charge mortgage prices so they can rip off strangers whom are in town for business . Every local will and probably already does ring their own or would have booked a return from local firms. It’s about time the airport taxis were stopped , Get on the ranks in town now boys hahaha

Quote:

I feel sorry for those lads up at the airport, especially them that's going to lose their bonds, change for the sake of it if you ask me. Once upon a time it was a case of dead mans shoes up there, just goes to prove the old adage that nothing lasts forever.

Taxi-ing used to be a great job, over the years I've ran my own hacks, I've rented hacks, worked the station with NHDA, worked offices with a hack (NODA, LA, Park), grafted as a PH driver for many offices including Bodgit, Blueslime, LA, Grosvenor... it's fair to say I've given it a go from pretty much every angle and sadly the only conclusion I can draw is that the game is stuffed (and has been for a good number of years) imo due to uber part time jockeys coming out when its busy to earn some beer money and the council lifting the lid and allowing anyone with a licence to rock up and get a badge. Way too many cars on the road to be able to earn a decent wage without putting in ridiculous hours (I was doing 70+ by the time i chucked it a few years back) Miss it still, but only for the craic and the cabiradery... dont miss the divvies, radgies, smackheeds, them that know better than you even though they never driven, etc etc

Quote:

The only investigation there should be is into how Newcastle county council knowing let hack plates get sold for mega bucks forcing drivers to drive dangerous amount of hours just to make there rent

Reply:
This is what happens with the current regime a driver from Newcastle airport taxis wants to leave another driver pays £30k to take his place the office takes a cut and the driver that is leaving gets a pay off ........ well in fortunately the gravy train or plane in this case has ended all current drivers won’t be getting anything

Quote:

I have heard the drivers each pay about £30k to work there, the whole Newcastle taxis from multi owners of hack plates is corrupt hack plates that cost roughly £200 a year from the council then renting them out @ £200 a week on a car that can only be discribed as a scrapper and done more miles than the space shuttle whole game is corrupt

Quote:

Has nobody read up on this Arrow Private Hire company ?

Was it not just a few weeks ago the drivers all went on strike at Leeds Bradford airport because they weren’t making any money, allegedly arrow puts the 30% on to the fare so it’s the general public that pays in the long run, but I’m sure the people of Newcastle are not that stupid and will pre book their local company to be picking them up if indeed the Newcastle airport Drivers are kicked out after 52 years ,
But once again try and google Arrow reviews and you will see they are just a cowboy outfit out to rip off Driver & public.

Quote:

On landing at Newcastle Airport a few days ago I had the opportunity to use Airport Taxis. Gave the address in NE3 the driver said "whereabouts is that then". Not being local I asked the driver if he had a SatNav (a faily common bit of technology these days), answer "I don't have one"; Next question Have you got a street atlas for Newcastle on board, answer "No". Luckily I had a little knowledge of the direction and directed the driver the best I could. But the question is what would have happened if I was a complete stranger to the area. If this is the standard of service then quite frankly a change of contract might improve the service instead of relying on the customer to direct the driver. Very poor!!

Reply:
hanks to Newcastle council the driver No longer needs to have local knowledge. They don't even have to be able to speak English! That's why I use a local company. Really surprised he didn't have a sat nav though, a lot of drivers only speak 2 words of English 'post and code'!

Quote:

This will not give a better service and most drivers that have been stupid enough to sign up to this vile company will not last very long when they find out that the earning potential they have been promised is impossible to make. Arrow got the contract because they offered more money than Airport Taxis and also because they had a council boss accompany them to the airport to speak up for them, this SHOULD cost him his job but because NCC is so corrupt he will probably just get a pat on the back instead! Hopefully Arrow will not last very long and will soon disappear, I just feel for the hard working lads who are now out of their jobs because of greed by the airport!

Reply:
Not one of the drivers working for airport taxis will lose their jobs. They all have taxi badges so they can go and work on a different rank or work for a private hire firm. If they like working at the airport they can carry on doing so, start working for arrow taxis

Reply:
A lot of the drivers have been there years and do not want to go and work on the ranks and if they go and work for private hire companies they will add to the already huge problem of too many drivers and not enough work, that's why you have drivers doing suicide hours to make less than minimum wage. To work for Arrow you have to rent one of their vehicles, you can not drive your own car. Do you think paying Arrow £285 per week to hire a car and then 30% of everything you make before any other offtakes is fare?

Reply:
They may have worked there for years but they arent losing their jobs. They are still taxi drivers, a lot of people get made redundant and cant find other work, all these drivers can still carry on working. There isn't any taxi driver out there doing "suicide hours" for less than minimum wage, if you had to do that, why would anyone be a taxi driver?

Reply:
You will find most taxi drivers work for less than minimum wage, that's why they do a lot more hours than other workers and yes there are way too many doing suicide hours and it is all thanks to Newcastle council and their policies. Just because they have a taxi badge does not mean they will not lose their jobs, many will not or can not work the hours it takes to make a living these days. Another thing that has not been mentioned, the airport drivers paid £30,000 to be able to work the airport which they are not getting back... could you afford to lose £30,000 because the airport got greedy?

Reply:
Taj20...from what you say these drivers dont want to do ANYTHING but work at the airport. Sounds like theyve had a good number for a long time but sadly all good things come to an end. It happens in every industry mate...business’ lose contracts. Workers either look for work else where or do something else. Thats how it goes for everyone son so tough t*tty.

edders23 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 4:40 pm

Quote:

because they had a council boss accompany them to the airport to speak up for them

is that legal ? Surely council officials can't get involved in who wins contracts other than contracts directly with the council

Sussex · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:15 pm

Quote:

Looks like Newcastle has been an HC-only scenario, but seems that Arrow will be the only provider at the airport now.

That will go down well.

Sussex · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:17 pm

Quote:

According to the comments on the Chronicle's website there seemed to be some sort of quota system in operation at Newcastle, and places were changing hands for £30k

Not sure about the amount, but from memory similar numbers to the above, the PH fleet at Gatwick operate a similar quota/restriction system.

Sussex · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:20 pm

Quote:

Airport officials say that Arrow was deemed to offer the best service after a "comprehensive" tender process, and that its prices are expected to be in line with the current fares.

Best service my arse. More best tendered price and best % kick back on each job.

Sussex · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:21 pm

Quote:

Taxi driver Amir Ahmed told a council meeting this week: "The Newcastle Airport decision will mean that 129 taxi drivers from various councils will lose their livelihoods.

Cross border clearly not a problem there then. :roll:

Sussex · **Posted:** Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:27 pm

edders23 wrote:

Quote:

because they had a council boss accompany them to the airport to speak up for them

is that legal ? Surely council officials can't get involved in who wins contracts other than contracts directly with the council

I very much doubt that was the case, more likely officials wanted to know how the new set up was going to work.

StuartW · **Joined:** Wed May 16, 2012 6:33 am **Posts:** 18527

Sussex wrote:

edders23 wrote:

Quote:

because they had a council boss accompany them to the airport to speak up for them

is that legal ? Surely council officials can't get involved in who wins contracts other than contracts directly with the council

I very much doubt that was the case, more likely officials wanted to know how the new set up was going to work.

Still slightly contradicts the council's 'nothing-to-do-with-us' stance as set out in their response to the HCs' concerns, though, but at least it clearly sets out the position regarding private land and thus why the airport could allow cross-border HCs to ply for hire, presumably:

Quote:

In a letter sent to the ATA, the council added: "The contract with the airport gave you exclusive rights to pick up without pre-booking from the airport because it is on private land to which Newcastle International Airport permit access.

"This arrangement is not one in which the council has a role. While I appreciate your concerns, Newcastle City Council as licensing authority cannot interfere in this process."

And the claim in the comments that suggested council officials 'accompanied' Arrow needs taking with a pinch of salt, as obviously all such below the line comments do.

But of course if Arrow are plating a large PH fleet in Newcastle and working the airport then council are obviously going to take an interest, even if the private land aspect at the airport means that the council's involvement won't be as per the more normal PH operator scenario.

Sussex · **Posted:** Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:34 pm

Quote:

Still slightly contradicts the council's 'nothing-to-do-with-us' stance as set out in their response to the HCs' concerns, though,

Well it is 'nothing to do with them' in respect of commercial matters, but every thing to do with in respect of licensing matters.

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