HEATHROW OVERHAUL: New system set to change the way taxi drivers work the airport rank
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 5
London’s busiest airport is about to undergo a major change for the capital’s taxi drivers. After more than a quarter of a century of running on the same technology, Heathrow is preparing to roll out a new driver management system to replace the long-standing feeder park tags.
For many cabbies, the current set-up has long been seen as outdated. The feeder park system, first introduced in the late 1990s, has for years relied on tags linked to a computer programme that, remarkably, was still operating on aged platforms. It is little wonder, then, that drivers have grown accustomed to technical problems and long delays.
According to LTDA columnist Mohamed Abdi Mohamed, the transition to a modernised system may cause initial teething problems, but the longer-term benefits should far outweigh any early inconvenience.
“Whilst the transition from the old to the new will cause a few issues – and yes, it’s a bit of an inconvenience to set up – the upsides far outweigh any of the negatives,” Mohamed said.
Ending misuse of the system
One of the biggest advantages of the new technology is that it will put an end to claims that non-drivers have been working the airport. For years, rumours circulated of tags being handed to friends, family members or even mechanics, who would then operate at the ranks.
Under the new system, every driver’s photograph will be linked to their details and available to rank agents through iPad devices installed across the terminals. This, Mohamed explained, should ensure that only licensed drivers with a Green Badge can work the airport legitimately.
“There are accusations that cousins, mechanics or even Uncle Bob and Aunt Fanny are working the airport. These will be easily dismissed because all driver photos will be available to the rank agents via the new terminal iPad devices,” he wrote.
Questions over GPS and suspensions
However, the introduction of GPS tracking has raised concerns among some cabbies. The idea is to monitor whether drivers are genuinely working at Heathrow, but as many drivers know, GPS can often be inaccurate by several metres, particularly when traffic congestion forces vehicles close to boundary lines.
“Should the GPS be having a funny turn and show you several metres from where you actually are (which is not at all unusual) it may cause some issues,” Mohamed warned.
There are also questions over Heathrow Airport Limited’s insistence that drivers who do not work the airport for three to six months will be removed from the system. Critics argue that this penalises Green Badge drivers who only set down at Heathrow occasionally.
“Many drivers only put on when they get a job out to the airport, and with Heathrow constantly bleating about emissions and dead mileage, it’s an inherent contradiction to then tell such a driver to go back empty,” Mohamed said.
A prayer room for all drivers
The changes at Heathrow are not only about technology. The airport recently opened a new multi-faith prayer room, which has prompted a number of questions from drivers. Some feared the facility might be intended for a single group, but Mohamed stressed that it is for everyone.
“As with all multi-faith prayer rooms at the airport, this is a shared space intended for people of all faiths and beliefs. It is a place where anyone can come for quiet time, prayer, or personal reflection. It’s not for a specific group, as some have suggested, nor would any one group wish it so,” he explained.
The LTDA has made clear that neither it nor any other trade organisation has responsibility for the facility. The prayer room is provided by Heathrow Airport Limited and managed by APCOA.
Drivers are asked to be mindful of each other, particularly at times when the space is in use for daily Muslim prayers, which are performed at set times throughout the day. “By showing patience and mutual respect, we can ensure this room continues to be a peaceful and supportive environment for everyone,” Mohamed said.
Heathrow’s long relationship with cab drivers
The changes mark the latest chapter in Heathrow’s complex relationship with London’s black cab trade. For decades, the airport has been a vital source of work, with thousands of cabbies making the journey to and from the terminals each week. The feeder park itself was established to regulate the flow of taxis, preventing congestion around the terminals.
Over the years, though, there has been no shortage of disputes. Drivers have regularly raised concerns over access, charges, and the way HAL manages the taxi operation. The outdated technology behind the feeder park has long been a source of irritation, with repeated breakdowns leaving cabbies frustrated.
With Heathrow also pushing for tighter environmental controls and restrictions on vehicle access, the balance between reducing emissions and supporting the trade remains delicate.
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Looking ahead
For Mohamed and the LTDA, the message is one of cautious optimism. The introduction of new systems at Heathrow should bring the operation into the modern age and help ensure fairer treatment of drivers. But there will also be challenges as the technology beds in, and as new rules around driver access are enforced.
“Ultimately, all Green Badge drivers should have access to the Heathrow rank,” Mohamed concluded. “The airport is a key part of our working lives, and any system must work fairly and consistently for the thousands of cabbies who keep Heathrow moving every day.”
