Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has criticised a £170 fine issued to a private hire driver at Manchester Airport, describing the penalty as “a little heavy-handed” and “harsh.”
The fine, which has now been escalated to debt collectors, was given to a cabbie named Neil after he forgot to update his new vehicle’s registration details on Manchester Airport’s automatic payment system.
Automatic payment system under scrutiny
Manchester Airport introduced its new camera-based payment system in March. The technology automatically charges £5 for drop-offs and £6.40 for pick-ups, with drivers given until midnight the following day to pay the fee online.
At the launch, Sue West, the airport’s landside operations director, said the change would “speed up the process and make it feel seamless” by removing the need for physical payment barriers.
However, for Neil, the system has resulted in a mounting penalty. Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, he explained that he had registered both his debit card and his licensed private hire vehicle on the airport’s payment platform. While the system usually deducts the drop-off fees automatically, the payment failed after he changed cars but forgot to update his registration details.
As a result, Neil was issued a £100 fine — which he claims he never received — before the penalty increased to £170 and was passed on to debt recovery agents.
Mayor calls for fairness
During the radio phone-in, Andy Burnham acknowledged Neil’s situation and revealed his office had received similar complaints about the airport’s system.
“It feels harsh in some ways, given they know you as an operator,” Burnham said. “I feel we need to work with the airport so everyone understands the system.”
The case has reignited debate among drivers about airport charges and enforcement practices, with many cabbies questioning whether penalties are proportionate to the initial fee.
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