East Midlands Airport drop-off changes leave cabbies out of pocket after escalation in parking fines

It has been revealed that taxi drivers are in fear of being left out of pocket after changes to the East Midlands Airport rapid drop-off point.
It has been alleged by one taxi driver that up to 250 drivers, including cabbies, have been hit by parking fines in just four days after the airport changed its charging regime.
The airport previously allowed drivers 10 minutes to drop their passengers off at a cost of £2, however, the drop-off allowance was lowered recently to just 5 minutes, at a cost of £2, with drivers charged an extra £1 for every minute that they overstay the initial 5 minutes.
With an ANPR van stationed at the airport, it has been alleged that drivers no longer feel comfortable taking customers to the airport, fearing that they will be left out of pocket, according to a Derbyshire Live report. It has been claimed that the driver of the ANPR vehicle boasted to one of the cabbies that 250 fines had been issued in four days. Cabbies are not just having to contend with an upweight in drop-off charges, one driver explained that double red lines have been painted around the airport perimeter, preventing drivers from alighting away from the designated drop-off points. Fines of £100 have been issued to drivers stopping on the red lines, with an airport spokesperson claiming that they are an important safety measure. Some taxi drivers are having to pay in excess of £16 after having to wait for their customers, despite some of the fares only totalling £22.50. This situation has been made worse due to the level of congestion being so high at the airport, with some drivers reported to have paid £9 just to leave the airport without waiting. A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport claimed to be unaware of issues relating to exiting the busy airport, although they did go on to say that they will tackle the problem as a matter of urgency now that it has been highlighted.
Image Source: Geograph
Image Author: Robin Stott