Manchester Airport confirms charges for dropping-off

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport has confirmed plans to charge £3 for five minutes and £4 for 10 minutes for dropping-off directly outside the terminal buildings - and airport station.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117315/manchester-airport-scrapping-its-free-dropoff-lanes

There is no change to arrangements for picking people up, with those collecting passengers asked to park in the car parks at each terminal (£4 for 30 minutes).

Blue Badge holders will be able to drop-off outside the terminals free of charge.

Non-Blue Badge holders who have booked special assistance can use the free drop-off site, where there will be a dedicated help point to communicate with the airport’s assistance provider OCS. All buses travelling to and from the terminals from this location are wheelchair accessible.

A scheme for people living near to the airport who use its Ground Transport Interchange to travel in and out of Manchester and surrounding areas has also been developed, following discussions with stakeholders in these communities. It allows people in certain postcodes to apply for a permit, giving them access to the station free of charge for an annual fee of £30. The postcodes covered are M22 0, M22 1, M22 4, M22 5, M22 8, M22 9, M23 0, M23 1, M23 2, M23 9, SK9 4, SK9 5, WA15 0, WA15 7, WA15 8, WA16 6, WA16 7.

 A discount scheme will also be set up for commercial private hire operators who are frequent users of the airport. The scheme already exists for pick-up within car parks and will now offer discounted access to the forecourts, for drop-off.

Tricia Williams, COO of Manchester Airport, said: “We have listened carefully to issues raised by passengers since announcing our plans and have been able to respond to many of the concerns raised.

“We will announce any further details, including the exact date the system will be introduced, at the earliest opportunity.”

Proceeds from the forecourt management scheme will go into a new public transport fund being set up by the airport. It is understood this will be used to support measures to improve access to the site for employment opportunities as well as passengers using public transport. The airport will be working in partnership with Cheshire East Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to administer the fund.

Former Rochdale councillor, Neil Butterworth Councillor Neil Butterworth called the plan “money-grabbing”when it was first revealed.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117358/councillor-neil-butterworth-hits-out-at-%E2%80%9Cmoneygrabbing%E2%80%9D-manchester-airport