Taxi Driver Online

Archie's Taxis anger at Bristol Airport parking fee rise

THE boss of a Wellington taxi firm has slammed Bristol Airport bosses after it quadrupled its 'Drop and Go' parking fees in little over nine months.

Paul Hickinbottom reckons the increase will cost his firm, Archie's Cabs, around £2,000 extra a year.

The fee to use the Drop and Go area at the airport, where people can park for up to ten minutes, went up from £3 to £4 on Friday. It had increased from £1 at the end of October.

"I was furious - they did this without any prior warning," said Mr Hickinbottom.

"We take 300 people to Bristol a year - most of them also require picking up when they return. That could be an extra 1,800 a year from when it cost £1.

"Our parking bill has gone up £1 each time a few months after they put it up £2 each time. I think it's profiteering.

"We're the cheapest firm taking people from Wellington or Taunton to Bristol Airport at £65.

"I can't just afford to swallow it up these increases, but this could finish us. It's naughty what they've done.

"I can't afford it. I don't want to keep putting our prices up, but I'll have to. It's the poor customers that ends up paying the bill."

A Bristol Airport spokesman said the fee was increased on Friday (August 14) as the intention is to see a rapid turnover of vehicles in the Drop and Go area, discouraging longer stays.

He added: "The tariff reflects its convenience and proximity to the terminal.

"In recent months the area has been enhanced and redesigned to provide improved dropping off facilities for customers with easy access to the terminal.

"The development work also includes an extended drop off area and the installation of an additional exit barrier using the latest technology number plate recognition and contactless payment facilities.

"Development work continues and the trials of a pre-registered cashless solution to improve customer experience is being considered.

"Customers who are dropping off family and friends who have a disabled badge, will continue to be able to use the Drop & Go area for 30 minutes free of charge.

"The Drop & Go area is only one car park available as customers have a choice of other car parking options including a free one hour Waiting Zone.

"The free one hour car park is located by the entrance to Silver Zone to the south of the terminal.

"Drivers can wait for 60 minutes free of charge in this area, before relocating to the collect customers from the car parks closer to the terminal.

"A courtesy bus transfer bus service is also available between the Waiting Zone and terminal.

"An alternative to the Drop & Go car park is the Short Stay and Pick Up car park, located opposite the terminal building and within a short walking distance.

"This car park is designed for drivers requiring longer stay lengths when collecting or dropping off family, friends and customers, the fee is £3.50 for 20 minutes."

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IDFIMH

most of them are a £5 so Bristol is just catching up.

The problem is it is the easiest way to make money out of the passengers coming through the airport

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Why is this seen as a problem? All a company has to do is advertise their fares as “ Bristol airport, £65 + all tolls, fees and charges” So the customer pays the drop off charge. if they don’t want to put up their prices, well, absorb them and STFU. The charges are here to stay. Fact.

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Former taxi driver

I wonder how much cheaper they are compared to the others?
When I started in the limo game I charged less than the others to get customers but one of the other chaps took me aside and had a chat with me. He said "Why are you undercutting everyone by so much? If you want to undercut us all then do it by a couple of quid, you will still get the job. you are just leaving money on the table." I went away and and had a good think about it and thought how right he was after all we are supposed to be business men. I mentioned on another thread a few days ago how we are the most expensive in our town. I am always telling other owner/drivers that they are leaving money on the table by quoting around £10.00 less than us on a job to East Midlands airport and even more on other airports. Why do these people want to be yhe leaders in the race to the bottom?

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Grandad,

I factor in Airport drop off and pick up parking in to my price......that's the flexibility that PH offers.

Can't you hack guys charge additional fees like parking ?

Of course hackney carriages can charge additional fees.

On my first visit to America I was irritated when something in a shop would be priced at ten dollars, but at the till it would be plus tax. But when you think about it, it shows the shopper of goods and services how much their government add on in taxes. I’m not in the business of subsidising customers. Anyone that “absorbs” drop off charges is tipping the passenger.

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Former taxi driver

Don't know about airports in England, but pretty sure that HCs in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire (which is where Glasgow Airport is located) can charge extras airport pick up fares via the tariff card.

HCs from other council areas can of course charge off-meter fares for airport trips.