Zoom Cars secures Bristol Airport taxi concession from February start
- Perry Richardson
- 46 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Zoom Cars has been awarded the contract to run Bristol Airport’s dedicated taxi and private hire concession, with operations scheduled to begin on 1 February. The appointment follows an Invitation to Tender launched in September for a single operator to deliver a round-the-clock service for passengers and airport staff.
The concession gives Zoom Cars access to a premium on-site taxi office close to the terminal and the newly built Public Transport Interchange.
As part of the tendering process Bristol Airport said the contract runs for five years with the possibility of a two-year extension. Advertising support is also included as part of the agreement, reflecting the airport’s plan to keep a consistent branded presence across its transport offer.
The selection criteria placed heavy emphasis on sustainability and operational reliability. The chosen operator must field a fleet with vehicles under three and a half years old, with 75 per cent hybrid or electric from the outset. By the end of 2025, a minimum of 25 per cent must be fully electric. High levels of cleanliness and service standards were listed as essential requirements during the tendering phase.
Five-year contract awarded as airport targets cleaner fleets and rising passenger demand
Bristol Airport is in the midst of a £400 million upgrade programme designed to handle rising passenger numbers and improve its ground transport network. The £60 million Public Transport Interchange and car park forms part of that work and is now one of the region’s major coach and bus hubs. The wider expansion programme supports the airport’s aim to grow from its current 10.6 million passengers a year to around 12 million.
Taxi and private hire access is expected to play a growing role as the airport increases capacity. The appointment of a single operator is intended to provide predictable service levels, support investment in low-emission fleets and ensure consistent point-to-point connectivity for travellers arriving into the South West, Cotswolds and South Wales.
Zoom Cars, based in Bristol, said it was preparing its fleet and operational setup ahead of the February start date. The company acknowledged the scale of the opportunity, noting the airport’s expanding customer base and the importance of meeting strict service and environmental requirements set out in the agreement.
