Taxi drivers and passengers going from Bolton to Manchester Airport are about to see big changes made to waiting costs.
The airport, which is part owned by Bolton Council alongside the other nine authorities in Greater Manchester, announced plans to cut fees charged to park at the dedicated waiting zone for taxis at JetParks on Thorley Lane.
The cut comes after fees were suddenly raised nearly two years ago, with critics worried this could put the taxi trade under yet more pressure with costs passed on to passengers.
Bolton Council shadow cabinet member for regulation and licencing Cllr Sue Haworth said: “I’ve been calling for fairness on airport charges for taxi drivers since way back to November 2020 at the GMCA scrutiny committee amidst a situation where, out of the blue, taxi drivers were being faced with massive hikes in charges at the parking area of the airport.”
“It doesn’t work to just say well taxi drivers can pass increased costs on to customers in fares.
“There is a well-known notable amount of cancellation or lack of turn up by customers for private hire taxis and it is nearly impossible for taxi drivers to build this into their overall fares.”
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The fees help to pay for the upkeep of the taxi drivers facility which includes toilets, a hot drinks machine and flight information boards.
But now, having previous charged £1 for an hour, £1.50 for two and £2 for three hours, the airport will now be slashing fees to just £1 for three hours.
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Cllr Haworth said: “We know in the borough a taxi is a choice for many who travel to and from the Airport.
“This is a very good move by the airport’s new managing director to provide a service for private hire drivers that was missing and it helps the airport.
“Drivers are giving feedback that they want the facility to be cleaner 24 hours day and night and there’s an ask for a work top to make a snack.
“I hope this facility goes from strength to strength.”
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