Barrier charges increase Aberdeen Airport taxi fares
10.02.08
Passengers flying into Aberdeen Airport face paying an extra £2 for their taxi. BAA is to introduce a barrier system and charge airport drivers £1 for every time they pick passengers up from the airport. But city-based drivers who pick passengers up at busy times will be subject to a 'pay as you go' charge of £2, and this could be added to fares.
The new measures are set to be introduced from August 1. BAA claim the charges are necessary to step up security in the wake of the terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport. A spokesman said: 'We are improving facilities and that's going to cost money. It's also a matter of better security as a result of what happened in Glasgow.'
Rainbow Taxis, the current managing agents for the airport taxi fleet, want Aberdeen City Council to add the charge to the metered fare. This will mean that passengers would have to pick up the tab.
However, Council leader Kate Dean is critical of the move. She said: 'It comes down to the fact that it's costing people more to get from the airport. And they have no choice. BAA are making money out of a captive audience.'
It is also likely to increase the number of 'kiss and fly' journeys - where friends and relatives drop off and pick up passengers from the airport. This increases traffic around the airport - with up to 4 journeys too or from the airport per return flights - which is something BAA is trying to cut down, both for environmental and congestion reasons.
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