MANCHESTER AIRPORT

Black cab drivers have stopped picking up from all Manchester Airport terminals as part of a dispute over a new T3 taxi rank.

The row between Unite the union and airport bosses has escalated through the day, with drivers initially boycotting just the new rank - which is around the corner from the terminal and not visible to passengers.

Drivers claim this positioning discriminates against disabled passengers - and Hackney cabs.

It takes the place of the current rank, which is closer to the terminal exit and more visible to passengers. It’s been moved to make way for more drop-off bays for a new ‘kiss and fly’ passenger charging system launching on Tuesday.

The new taxi stand is the third in less than a year. The original one had space for 12 cabs, while the new one will take four at a time.

But at 6.30pm on Monday, they moved to a full withdrawal of their services.

Yucel Polat, a driver and Unite rep, said: “We were getting threats and drivers were getting moved on so we moved to a full withdrawal from all terminals. We are getting a strong feeling they don’t want black cabs here.

"At international airports around the world the first thing passengers see when they step outside is a taxi rank. But not here.

Drivers also take issue with the facilities at the feeder park on Ringway Road - where they wait before being directed to the terminals by airport marshalls. They say hundreds of drivers have to share three run-down toilets and that facilities have been left to deteriorate.

Khurshid Anjim, a driver of 20 years, said: “The facilities are diabolical and I’ve seen them get worse over the years.”

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “Passengers have a wide range of options for travelling to and from Manchester Airport, including train, tram, bus, coach, car, private hire operators and Hackney Carriages.

“It is down to each individual Hackney Carriage driver who is registered with us whether they choose to work on any given day and we note the intention of a group of drivers not to serve our terminals until further notice.

“In developing our new forecourt arrangements, we have had to consider the interests of more than 25 different user groups while coming up with a system that reduces congestion and provides the best possible experience to our customers.

“We believe we have chosen the best possible location for the Hackney Carriage rank at Terminal 3, from where cars are sent from our dedicated feeder park.

“It is a similar distance away from the terminal than the previous rank, with new signage put in place to guide all arriving passengers to the right location, should they wish to use a Hackney Carriage for their onward journey.

“This signage has been tested with passengers prior to the new rank opening and has proven to be effective.

“We have been in dialogue with the Hackney Carriage community over a number of concerns they have raised about the Terminal 3 rank and believe we have made several concessions in an attempt to resolve the issue.

“Among other things, these include the guarantee of a review of the new system after six weeks and the provision by Manchester Airport of a dedicated taxi marshal inside Terminal 3 to direct arriving passengers to the new rank.

“That is why it is disappointing this action has been taken before the effects on the Hackney trade, if any, are truly known.

“However, we remain committed to working with the Hackney Carriage community to find a solution that is fair to all users of Manchester Airport.”

https://goo.gl/f6oZqT
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