Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies could charge passengers airport drop off fee
Edinburgh City Council have agreed to review the taxi fares, allowing drivers to pass on the £1 airport drop-off fee to passengers.

The controversial £1 drop off charge at Edinburgh Airport is one step closer to being passed on to taxi passengers.

At the moment, cab operators have to pay the charge themselves but they say they cannot afford to absorb the cost.

They asked the City of Edinburgh Council to perform an emergency fare review to allow them to include the drop-off charge in the journey price.

On Friday the Regulatory Committee of the council decided to allow the fare review and will now open up a consultation period to see if there are any objections. They will meet again in May to decide whether or not to allow the change.

If it is passed, then taxi passengers will see their fare to the airport rise on July 1.

Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, said: “A lot of cab drivers say this is a grossly unfair way to charge passengers.

“However, the airport are still insisting that all cabs pay £1 so unfortunately that has got to be passed on, to the regret if the taxi companies, I would add.”

Travellers to the airport have the option of being dropped off for no extra charge at the long-stay car park which has a free shuttle bus service to the terminal.

A spokesperson for airport operator BAA said: “The reason we changed the arrangements for the drop off was to cut congestion, provide a better experience for passengers and achieve environmental improvements and increased capacity. We are pleased with the way it has worked out.

“We understand the council is trying to come to some sort of arrangement with the taxi operators, but that is a matter for the council and taxi trade.”

“The reason we changed the arrangements for the drop off was to cut congestion, provide a better experience for passengers and achieve environmental improvements and increased capacity. We are pleased with the way it has worked out.