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Over 600 taxis apply for a permit.


EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS

Taxis face airport boot over rank bad parking

GARETH EDWARDS


HEATED exchanges between cabbies and police over a new taxi rank at Edinburgh Airport could see the facility facing closure less than a month after opening.

The new rank, which opened on January 3, allows all black cabs from the city to pick up fares at the airport for the first time.


But drivers complain that the rank's 22 spaces are often full - meaning other cabs often wait behind the taxis, spilling over on to the road while they wait for a space.

Drivers say they are being asked to move on by airport police, drive round the airport and come back to see if the rank has a space.

And they say that because of the time it takes to go round the airport they lose the space they were originally waiting for.

This has led to string of heated confrontations between cab drivers and the police officers charged with keeping the front of the terminal clear of traffic.

Now bosses at BAA, which runs the airport, are considering closing the rank again unless the situation can be resolved.

One driver, who asked not to be named, said: "There are only 22 spaces in the rank, but already more than 600 taxis have applied for the smart card you can use to access it.

"Any cab can use the rank if they pay a pound, but because there are so many drivers wanting to use it, it can be really difficult to get in.

"The guys at the airport who are meant to be monitoring the rank are being very heavy handed with the drivers. They are shouting at us and not using any common sense in letting drivers wait for a space to open up."

The entrance to the airport is being remodelled to create an area for buses and taxis, as well as a drop-off point for private cars.

Work is due to be completed in April 2006, and BAA say if the problem cannot be resolved they will close the rank until the new forecourt has been completed.

Airport bosses have put up a notice saying the rank will be monitored over the next two weeks, and that if problems continue they will consider restricting use of the rank to a single taxi company, or consider closing it entirely.

Previously only specially-licensed taxis were allowed to pick up fares at the airport, causing a great deal of friction within the industry.

Airport police have been instructed not to allow taxis to wait outside the rank, as this restricts buses from leaving the airport and blocks access to the bus stances.

A spokesman for BAA said: "Because it is often full we are getting taxis waiting outside the rank, which means they are obstructing buses trying to exit the airport, as well as blocking access to bus stances. Obviously we cannot have this interference with public transport."


Its open alright!

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I suppose it's not the best time of year to start a facility like this, or at least after the festive rush was over.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

if it was a 'smart' system, then why dont they have an eletronic 1 out, 1 in type of thing?

Oh, the joys of de-limiting a restricted market. First of many sorry tales from Edinborough, no doubt.

Feeder rank like Heathrow could be one answer

Last time I asked Edinburgh still restricted.

I think the airport will just have to be serviced by the PH trade, as is the case at Gatwick, Standstead and a few more of the piddly little airports.

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IDFIMH

I wasn't aware Edinburgh had changed it's policy on restriction?

I think Edinburgh Airport might well be advised to supply a feeder park to cater for the additional Taxis servicing the Airport. Most every other modern Airport does this.

JD

Yeah, but here’s the problem at the airport “2 ranks” you can pay your pound rank up and get a fare almost right away as long as the customers know you where you are? The trouble is they don't.

If the customers by-pass the “City Rank” which is badly sign posted and head down the tunnel to the “Airport Rank” you could wait there all night.

It all seems to be a hit or a miss. The sheer volume of City Taxis looking for work means we need one rank for all so you can judge how much work is coming your way.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I wasn't aware that I had claimed that Edinburgh HAD changed it's policy?

Edinburgh airport was restricted as to who could use it?

Now there are no restrictions as to who can use it?

600 pass holders, and rising?

An indication of where a free for all ends up?

Why all the question marks?

So are you now a fan of a three tier system?

Tier one is the mighty PH, tier two is the cab trade, and tier three a select few from the cab trade with station/airport permits?

So much for the workers united.

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IDFIMH

Jimbo once again you fail to see the obvious. One rank properly signed and a feeder rank. Problem solved!


Not like BAA to cock-it-up, must be taking lessons from C.E.C

"As for the 600 pass holders" it wasn't like they did not exist before they got a pass in the first place.

I'm making less money with the new rank and not because of the increase in numbers. I would pick up at the front of the terminal without having to wait in turn, front of the queue every time. Now I can sit for an hour or more in a queue the punters walk right passed.

Tell me BAA did not do this deliberately.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

they would get more money from the likes of checkers and airportcarz.

600 cars, a £1 a time and their own contracted fleet. How much would the likes of checkers and airportcarz be willing to pay:shock:

How about wee charge them a £1 for providing the service? If I had my way I would bring the bloody airport to it's knees, cheeky [edited by admin].

It's only because of the thick ignorant taxi driver they get away with this scam.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I think the lads at Gatwick not only pay a massive one off yearly price, but part of the contract is a % of each fare.

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IDFIMH

Yes, I think that was the PH?



Now the restricted taxis can use it as well.

So it's the restricted taxis that's causing the problem

Anyway, I suspect that the problem is that evident at many airports and rail stations etc - totally inadequate rank space.

Of course, the airport scenario will provide plenty of ammunition for the opponents of derestriction if it ever does happen, but the problems were evident beforehand, but that will be conveniently forgotten.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk