LTDA frustrated as taxi drivers continue receiving PCN’s while working rank at Heathrow Airport

The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) has expressed its frustration over the continued issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to licensed taxi drivers operating within the Taxi Feeder Park System at Heathrow Airport.

Suzanne Sullivan, the LTDA's Airport Representative, highlighted the ongoing issues faced by taxi drivers, particularly during the winter season.

"One of the main problems we face is when our members pass through the Terminal 3 drop-off zone while en route to the Terminal 3 pick-up rank or local inter-terminal jobs, which should be exempt from PCNs," Sullivan stated in TAXI Newspaper. "Regrettably, we still receive an average of ten APCOA PCNs every week. While most cases can be resolved through a simple appeal process, we often encounter more complex issues, such as erroneous Drop-Off Charge payments being used against alleged contraventions that, in fact, should be exempt jobs. Fixing these mistakes can be more challenging."

One of the proposals put forward by the LTDA involves implementing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at the exit of the South Park. These cameras would exempt vehicles leaving the area from the Drop-Off Charge (DoC) for a designated period, typically a couple of hours, allowing for local journeys and ‘fair fares’. Sullivan believes that this solution would eliminate approximately 90% of these ongoing PCN mistakes, saving precious time, effort, money, and minimising stress for taxi drivers.