Capricorn

This is OT but the BMI board is where many north-west FT’ers hang out. I’m looking for a copy of the rate card that Manchester Airport taxis use to look up fares for journeys to destinations outside of the city limits. Can anyone help?

The background is that for over 20 years when I’ve landed at Manchester I’ve gone to the rank to get a taxi to come home. I live outside of the city boundaries so the driver has to look up the journey on the rate card. So far this year the fare has been £27. Then last week I got off the plane after coming back from the USA and as usual got a taxi. It didn’t occur to me at the time but the driver didn’t look up his rate card then. Instead when we arrived at my house he tried to charge me a whopping £45!

I queried it with him. He claimed the fare had recently gone up. Yes I know fares went up in April but not by that much. I managed to stand my ground somewhat and he backed down to £35. I paid this as I was tired and couldn’t face his abrasive manner. But I do feel cheated. Sadly I didn’t manage to get his number or I would report him to the authorities.

So for future reference I've been searching the web to try and find a copy of the official rate card. I’ve found the one for journeys inside the city limits on the Manchester City Council web site under the Licensing Authority's meeting minutes but it doesn’t include the fares for journeys outside of the city limits.

Does anyone have a copy of this? Many thanks.

simon stingray

I don't have a copy but whilst waiting outside T1 arrivals the other day I noticed that the entire document (6-8 pages) is posted on a notice board outside the T1 arrivals main door. Its under the arrivals monitors and where the Taxi marshal always stands.

I looked what they charge to the area where I live and it was listed as £45. The local private hire firm which I use charges £24 for the same journey

Boddingtons

Taxi drivers now are getting crafty nowadays. That said, they are quite within their rights to charge you a pre-agreed price if the journey ends in a council area outside of their usual territory.

My taxi fare from MAN to Eccles/Monton is £17 set fare through a private hire firm - we're approximately 9 miles away from the airport.

I would arrange one of your local taxi firms to pick you up in future.

LiviLion

Very reasonable for an armed guard and police escort

Capricorn

I do use a private hire firm to get to the airport. All the ones I use regularly charge the same £27. But on the way home I prefer to just grab a cab at the rank - saves any bother having to remember to call the hire firm if /when plans change.

Thanks simon stingray, I'll look out for that.

Well we can't all live in country mansions and have our own chauffeur meet us on the tarmac.

GoldCircle

Please continue to enjoy this thread in the Uk & Ireland forum!

jy2

I recently moved to Styal which, some will know, is about 2 miles from the airport. The black cabs want £15 to do this journey because I am about quarter of a mile outside the Greater Manchester boundary!! I use airportcarz.com instead - half the price (with an extra 10% discount if you prebook on the web) and (so far) always on time. Have also used them for leisure travel and they come to the door and help with the luggage rather than just beeping their horn and waiting. OK they are all minibuses but so what.

They have desks at each terminal and I understand (only tried it once) they can pretty much provide transport on demand. (Worked for me the one time I tried.) Not sure if this will work cost effective for you but you can check prices on the web in advance to see.

(I sound as though I work for them - I don't!!)

MAN Pax

On the rare occasion that my regular driver can't meet me at the airport - due to late changes to my schedule, I use airportcarz to get me home more cheaply than a black cab. I know they are mini-buses, but I think the ride is better than a black can for a longer trip.

Store the number on the phone and call them before you board.

Alternatively, why not call a local mini-cab firm before you get on board? They normally track the flight arrivals and can handle any delays.

TrayflowInUK

AirportCarz is definitely an option, I've got their T2 desk number programmed into my mobile. I've better luck with them than anyone else. I can't tell you how many times I've walked out of customs in T2, marched right up to their desk, and asked them to take me to our company office where I park my car if going away on biz or holiday from MAN. Never waited more than 15 mins. Of course, the office is only a few miles away which makes it easy to slot in, and we do a little biz with them (probably 10-15 lifts a week) so there might be a little pull there. Could be different if I was Joe Bloggs asking them to take me to Leeds or Hull. It has to be said their rates have gone up, it used to be £5, then it was £6, now it seems to be £7. That's a bit dear IMHO, and now on par with a black cab.

If anyone wants some nice executive transport sometime, I know a guy who does nice chauffering in a new E320, very discrete, well presented, and professional. PM me if interested.

Capricorn

Well I also contacted Manchester City Council’s taxi licensing people to see if they could let me have the rate card. They replied quickly but it seems that I as wrong to think the rate card was issued by the licensing authority. It isn't and they have no control over fares outside of the city limits. It’s the trade sets the rates.

BTW yesterday Airportcarz was £27 too for my journey from the airport.

TrayflowInUK

Hmmm... so much for that. Arrived on DL65 tuesday morning, marched up to AirportCarz and was told 35 minute wait! Went to taxi rank and waited 30 mins for a taxi. It was CRAZY (day after bank hol).

phaigh

hi i have been a taxi driver for twenty years and i know that people have problems at manchester airport, drivers charging what they want. At the same time a black cab drivers goes through life all legal badge wise and airport carz are not driver vetted or badged as taxi drivers. The councill and the airport let them get away with this for a cut off there takings. Also as a private hire driver there is no where for us to drop off and pick up at the airport and the police and traffic wardens move us on all the time.

MAN Pax

Hi Phaigh, welcome to FT!

I'd have to take issue with your last two comments - drop off is available for anyone and I have no problems getting out of a cab at 1, 2 or 3.

Private Hire have reserved spaces in the car parks as T2 and T3 (I'd also presume T1, but I rarely venture there). My guy ha a discounted card which gives him cheaper parking. I normally ring him when I'm on my way out and he's waiting for me at the door.

Tanya934

Have been quoted £18.60 each way with Airportcarz to go from near Macclesfield to Manchester airport, a trip of about 12 miles.
I think a taxi company called Lynx charge about the same.
Can airportcarz pick up from T1 or do you have to walk over to T3 to meet them?

TrayflowInUK

Airportcarz will pick you up from any terminal at MAN, at least, in my experience they do.