Changes at Stansted AirPort Express Drop Off Zone -PCN CANCELLED ON APPEAL

Nuddmann

A heads up for forum lurkers, the Express Drop Off zone at Stansted airport has changed from a pay on exit system to a pay online by midnight. 

This is likely to catch out lots of people used to the old system, particularly as there are no entry barriers and the signage on exit is less than clear, especially for drivers trying to pay attention to the busy traffic. 

The registered keeper of one of our vehicles is expecting a PCN after the driver forgot to log on and pay the drop off charge, retrospective payment is not an option once midnight has passed. There is an autopay service available, let's see how ACPOA deal with it. 

I can only believe that the change is to generate additional income. Sharks!

Le_Kirk

.......... and what about people who do not have access to t'internet?  Does the sign give info for them?

Nuddmann

Le_Kirk said:

.......... and what about people who do not have access to t'internet?  Does the sign give info for them?

As far as the driver can remember, it only gives online info however, it's a bit of a balance between reading the sign and avoiding a collision with other people reading the sign 

Zinger549

There is a free drop off at the Mid stay car park at Stanstead. Does mean you have to get the shuttle bus to the Airport which might not suit some people.

Gr1pr

I think that Manchester has just changed to something similar 

They should allow a better retrospective payment system,  perhaps adding a smaller fee for those who miss the deadline in order to cover their extra costs such as the DVLA fee and the paperwork and postage,  so be fair about it 

But more likely that greed is involved,  it's becoming normal to make people pay for mistakes   ( they will start charging us for forgetting passwords or pin numbers next,  nevermind fat fingers

Autopay has its own problems too, like with NCP and Dart etc

Nuddmann

Gr1pr said:

I think that Manchester has just changed to something similar 

They should allow a better retrospective payment system,  perhaps adding a smaller fee for those who miss the deadline in order to cover their extra costs such as the DVLA fee and the paperwork and postage,  so be fair about it 

But more likely that greed is involved,  it's becoming normal to make people pay for mistakes   ( they will start charging us for forgetting passwords or pin numbers next,  nevermind fat fingers

Autopay has its own problems too, like with NCP and Dart etc

You're right about autopay issues with NCP. I got a PCN last year despite being on their autopay system. They wanted £20 as it was my first "offence". I told them FRO and offered them the five quid it actually costs, which worked. 

dxbcc

Le_Kirk said:

.......... and what about people who do not have access to t'internet?  Does the sign give info for them?

Yes, there's a phone number - I used the Express Mugway a couple of weeks ago, and took photos of the signage as is now a habit when I park somewhere unfamiliar...

dxbcc

As far as the driver can remember, it only gives online info however, it's a bit of a balance between reading the sign and avoiding a collision with other people reading the sign 

I agree, the exit signage is terrible, especially if you don't notice the new signage while you're parked up and you're expecting to pay on exit like it used to be.

Nuddmann

So Update, post has now delivered said anticipated PCN.

Although the £25 reduced fee is tempting, I'm still tempted to tell them to FRO using the following appeal below, subject to advice and opinion from forum regulars. 

APPEAL CONTENT:

The PCN is being appealed on the following basis:

 

·      Stansted Airport and the Pick UP/Drop Off zone are not relevant land as defined in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 paragraph 3 (c) because the land in which the zone exists is subject to statutory control in the form of Airport Byelaws therefore, the keeper cannot be held liable for the charge, only the driver, whose identity is not revealed. 

·      In any case, the PCN does not seek to hold the keeper liable as per POFA 2012 as no POFA declaration is made in the charge notice. The keeper cannot be assumed to be the driver. The vehicle has more than one person authorised to drive it. 

·      The payment system has recently changed from a barriered entrance and exit whereby payment was made on exit. The barriers have been removed and the signage is insufficiently clear and does not afford the opportunity, when stationary in the drop off zone, to be able to ascertain payment details for the new system. Vehicles are allowed to enter the zone with insufficient warning that payment on exit can no longer be made and with an apparent expectation that any signage should be fully read and understood while the vehicle is being driven. 

·      The driver was unable to ascertain details for payment due to the dangers of trying to locate any payment signs while exercising due care and attention as vehicles entered and exited the drop off zone. The standards expected from a competent driver negate the opportunity to locate, read and understand the new payment arrangements as they would be potentially committing a road traffic offence of driving without due care and attention. 

Another visit will be made this week to collect someone, so video footage/photos can be taken if needed. The vehicle has been registered on autopay. 

Welcome thoughts on this. I'm minded to add an offer to pay the £7 drop off charge. 

Coupon-mad

You don't need to add an offer. You can't lose. Easy because it's Non-POFA.

But please do get a video (from dashcam or passenger phone) of the approach warnings and any signs (or lack of) at the barrier-less exit. This will help others.

LDast

The change is great for anyone who is familiar with this or the FTLA forums because if you have the bottle, you need never pay for a rip-off drop-off ever again at these airports. It is good for the scammers because they know that the vast majority of keepers who receive one of their NtKs will pay up out of ignorance or fear and they have less maintenance of furniture such as barriers and payment machines.