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    30

    Jul 2021

    Last Updated: 29/07/2021
    Business
    Business

    Harrogate and Ripon taxi drivers criticise airport's 'extortionate' £5 drop-off charge

    by Thomas Barrett

    | 30 Jul, 2021
    Comment

    0

    The taxi drivers say the charge, which applies to anyone picking up or dropping off, could put them off doing airport runs in the future. Leeds Bradford Airport says the charge is necessary to help it recover from covid

    new-project-24

    Two Harrogate district taxi drivers have spoken out against a new £5 charge at Leeds Bradford Airport to pick up and drop off passengers.

    The airport introduced the new charge on May 28 but with flights only slowly beginning to return, some taxi drivers are only just discovering the increase.

    Leeds Bradford Airport has said the charge is necessary to help it recover financially from covid. It previously cost £3 to wait for up to 10 minutes.

    But Richard Fieldman, owner of Ripon and Harrogate firm A1 Cars, told the Stray Ferret he took an older couple from Ripon to LBA for a flight to Dublin on Sunday and was shocked to discover the charge had increased to £5, which he called "extortionate" and "scandalous".

    The charges apply to anyone picking up or dropping off at the airport but taxi drivers are particularly affected because they make regular airport trips.

    Mr Fieldman said:

    "I have no sympathies whatsoever.
    "Joe Public and taxi drivers are getting a raw deal. We've suffered enough."





    Read more:



    • Harrogate district’s mixed reaction to Leeds Bradford Airport expansion

    • Harrogate council lifts cap on wheelchair taxi licences





    The Stray Ferret also spoke to John Higgins, owner of Harrogate firm Spa Taxis, who called the charges a "nightmare".

    He said taxi drivers could stop in the free car park but that was a 15-minute walk to the terminal — not ideal for people carrying luggage.

    The pick-up and drop-off charges increase to £7 for a 10 to 20-minute stay, £9 for a 30 to 60-minute stay and £11 for longer than an hour.

    It means if a customer has pre-booked a taxi but is held up at the airport, it could end up costing them over £50 for a journey to Harrogate.

    Mr Higgins said the price increases will put him off doing airport runs in the future.

    He added:

    "These increased charges have snuck in over covid. I do have sympathies for the airport but we have to work together."


    'Competitive prices'


    An LBA spokesperson said the airport "continues to be impacted by the global pandemic" and the changes will "help us recover to a firm financial footing".

    They said the pick up and drop off tariffs were "very low" compared to other major and regional airports.

    The spokesperson added:

    "LBA continues to provide competitive prices on parking. We look forward to welcoming back travellers in ever increasing numbers and providing improved accessibility options in the pick up and drop off area."