London Heathrow caps the number of taxis accessing rank space due to “over supply”

London’s Heathrow airport has announced a ‘one in, one out’ policy for new taxi drivers wanting to obtain access tags to the airport’s ranks. In a letter circulated by the capital’s busiest airport, the Heathrow Taxi Management team said: “Due to over supply of taxis compared to demand at Heathrow it has been necessary to implement a 1 in 1 out policy.

“This policy means that new drivers are only able to join the Heathrow taxi feeder park system and receive a tag and booster when an existing driver closes their account at Heathrow.”

The decision to cap the number of taxi drivers using the ranks at Heathrow has been met with varying levels of support. The GMB Pro Drivers union simply said “And about time too” whilst the United Cabbie’s Group (UCG) were less supportive. The UCG said via Twitter: “The UCG is totally against the Heathrow Feeder Park Tag waiting list system now in force. The licensed trade is, once again, suffering restriction of trade whilst PH can use the much larger car park without let or hindrance.”

Image: LEVC