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Heathrow and London City airport drop-off fees passed onto taxi and PHV passengers put under scrutiny by MP
The Department for Transport’s review of airport drop-off charges will examine their effect on passengers, but the Government has not confirmed whether it will include additional fees passed on by taxi and private hire operators.
The issue was raised by Alison Griffiths, Opposition Assistant Whip and shadow transport minister, in a written question answered on 3 November.
She asked whether the review would consider charges imposed on passengers by taxi and private hire operators to recover airport drop-off fees, including proposed charges at Heathrow and London City airports.
Keir Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, said: “We recognise concerns about the impact of drop-off charges on airport users and expect car parking at airports to be managed appropriately and consumers to be treated fairly.”
He added: “The Government has committed to a review [that] will seek to understand the impact of airport drop off charges on passengers, including how those charges affect accessing airports. The detailed scope will be developed as part of the review process.”
The response does not specify whether the review will look at how airport fees are reflected in taxi and private hire fares, booking charges or other passenger costs. It also gives no timetable for the review or details of how operators, airports and passengers will contribute.
Airport drop-off fees can affect the cost of journeys made by licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, depending on how operators choose to recover them. The question specifically identified Heathrow and London City, where Transport for London (TfL) has proposed charges that can be added to the metered fare so that the driver is not impacted for offering their services.
