Edinburgh Airport has brought in a series of measures aimed at cracking down on taxi touting in the drop-off zone.
Cameras that track vehicle use and flow have been installed to identify taxi and private hire vehicles that are illegally picking up passengers in the wrong area. The move is a response to an increase in touting, tailgating through the exit barriers and congestion.
Signage to make users aware of the new measures has been installed and any vehicles that pick-up passengers in the drop-off zone will receive a parking charge notice of £100 (US$125). A private company will manage this for the airport.
Adrian Witherow, chief operating officer at Edinburgh Airport, said, “The safety of staff and passengers is always our number one priority and practices like touting and tailgating must be addressed to ensure the drop-off zone is a safe environment for everyone.
“It’s important that we provide a steady supply of taxis and private hire cars for passengers who land in Edinburgh but, unfortunately, a rise in these unsafe practices is impacting on our ability to do that.
“Touting is also denying our licenced taxis business and we have a responsibility to protect the integrity of that service, especially when that agreement ensures a supply of cars available for our passengers and customers at all hours of the day.”