BRISTOL AIRPORT

Drivers who use the Uber app will use a new waiting zone at Bristol Airport from next month, helping to reduce the number of vehicles parking in lanes and laybys in local villages.

The transport giant will ‘geo-fence’ the new area, which is located just off the A38 roundabout serving the Airport’s Silver Zone car park. This means that drivers can only be dispatched to the terminal to pick up passengers if they are in the waiting zone.

The waiting zone will open next month and comes in response to calls for action from neighbouring communities concerned about the impact of inconsiderate parking by taxis and other vehicles causing disturbance and even obstructing access to properties.

The waiting zone will also be open to private cars, providing an hour’s free period as an alternative to the existing Drop and Go area adjacent to the terminal. A shuttle bus will operate between the terminal and the waiting zone every ten minutes. The Airport’s official taxi partner, Arrow Cars, will continue to drop off and pick up directly outside the terminal.

“We are delighted that drivers who use the Uber app will be using this new facility,” said Tom Hack, Head of Commercial at Bristol Airport. “It will help to reduce disturbance to our neighbours while providing drivers with a safe and secure place to wait between fares.”

Eugenie Teasley, Uber Head of Cities, South England said: "We are really excited to be working with Bristol Airport. It is our goal to move people from A to B, all at the touch of a button, and by working with Bristol Airport, we hope to make it easier for people to get to and from the airport.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-us/news-and-media/news-and-media-centre/2019/9/uber-commits-to-using-new-airport-waiting-zone
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 EAST MIDLANDS

An operation run by several different agencies has seen hundreds of taxis thoroughly assessed as part of safety checks to further protect passengers across Rushcliffe and neighbouring districts.

Drivers were stopped on Friday at East Midlands Airport for compliance checks to ensure their vehicles were operating in line with licensing policy, legislation and requirements on road safety.

Of the 135 taxis stopped from across the region, six were given prohibition notices for issues such as tyre defects, vehicle offence reports were made for infringements such as faulty headlights and one vehicle with no insurance was immediately seized.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr, Rob Inglis, attended the operation to join members of the council’s licensing team, other local authorities, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and Leicestershire Police.

He said: “We were delighted to join local partners at the Airport to support this operation as the safety of residents and members of the public when using a taxi is of paramount importance.

“Officers carried out relevant checks ensuring vehicles met specified standards, drivers were fit and proper to drive and that the vehicle was roadworthy and insured.

“These random checks are vital to ensure standards are maintained and those who flout the rules are identified.” 
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