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

Nuddmann

LDast said:

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.

That had actually occurred to me however, I don't have the bandwidth to deal with them that often!

Nuddmann

Coupon-mad said:

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.

Video footage was taken today. 

The signage on entrance and exit is woeful and, in any case, vehicles can't stop to check arrangements and there is nothing obvious to say that it's no longer pay on exit. Same for the exit. The only signs indicating a pay online process are currently attached to pedestrian railings in a coned off lane on a three lane exit road that is very busy. absolutely no way that a driver can take any notice or details without committing an offence of driving without due care and attention!

There are signs in the actual drop off area however, it is easy to park between these and, given that it's a 15 minute time limit and the number of cars waiting to find a space is high, it's easy to miss them or not notice their significance while picking up passengers, especially elderly ones who need assistance with luggage etc. 

Will probably include screenshots with appeal if APCOA platform allows it. 

@Coupon-mad, where would be the most useful place to put the video clips for the forum?

Coupon-mad

You can show them here, either by putting moving images on Youtube then replying here with a link for us to view it, or by showing us still screenshots.

ChirpyChicken

You do not video clips on your appeal
Do not do that
That isnt how you win this 

Nuddmann

ChirpyChicken said:

You do not video clips on your appeal
Do not do that
That isnt how you win this 

I'm not submitting video in the appeal, which you can't do anyway. Appeal is based on POFA/Not Relevant land with appalling signage thrown in. 

The video is in relation to a request from Coupon Mad as it may be useful for others who get caught out by the change in payment process. 

Nuddmann

@Coupon-mad

Screenshots below, will try and get video uploaded over the weekend. 

Coupon-mad

Nuddmann said:

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 APCOA deal with it. 

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

Nuddmann said:

@Coupon-mad

Screenshots below, will try and get video uploaded over the weekend. 

Thanks.

Can't see a contractual term where you 'agree to pay a parking charge', can you?!  How much is it? Who knows ... because you can't possibly have seen it, let alone agreed.

Yes you can see there's a sign.  What you can't see is a contract. Epic fail.

What they need (if they were to run this FAIRLY) is a sign at the barrier where vehicles must all stop and either pay by swiping a card, or at least be given text they can READ about the risk of a PCN at the barrier. Then leave, fully informed.

Look how there's no sign at eye level. Nothing at all at the barrier.  And why don't they just let you pay on the spot?

Nuddmann

Coupon-mad said:

Nuddmann said:

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 APCOA deal with it. 

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

Nuddmann said:

@Coupon-mad

Screenshots below, will try and get video uploaded over the weekend. 

Thanks.

Can't see a contractual term where you 'agree to pay a parking charge', can you?!  How much is it? Who knows ... because you can't possibly have seen it, let alone agreed.

Yes you can see there's a sign.  What you can't see is a contract. Epic fail.

What they need (if they were to run this FAIRLY) is a sign at the barrier where vehicles must all stop and either pay by swiping a card, or at least be given text they can READ about the risk of a PCN at the barrier. Then leave, fully informed.

Look how there's no sign at eye level. Nothing at all at the barrier.  And why don't they just let you pay on the spot?

The previous system was exactly that. It's a £7 charge and the driver paid on exit at a barrier. This is without doubt a money making exercise as so many people will be getting caught out. This is probably why they're offering a £25 charge if paid straight away. 

daveyjp

PPCs are all about minimum input costs for maximum returns.

Barriers are expensive, they need monitoring 24/7 (money), they need emergency response (money), they need maintenance (money), they are at risk of failure in down position, they do get run into and damaged (money).

Replace barrier with an automated invoice system and all that demand for money is gone.  They also know drivers won't see signs so kerching from invoices.  Minimum cost for maximum return, job done.

Coupon-mad

Nuddmann said:

Coupon-mad said:

Nuddmann said:

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 APCOA deal with it. 

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

Nuddmann said:

@Coupon-mad

Screenshots below, will try and get video uploaded over the weekend. 

Thanks.

Can't see a contractual term where you 'agree to pay a parking charge', can you?!  How much is it? Who knows ... because you can't possibly have seen it, let alone agreed.

Yes you can see there's a sign.  What you can't see is a contract. Epic fail.

What they need (if they were to run this FAIRLY) is a sign at the barrier where vehicles must all stop and either pay by swiping a card, or at least be given text they can READ about the risk of a PCN at the barrier. Then leave, fully informed.

Look how there's no sign at eye level. Nothing at all at the barrier.  And why don't they just let you pay on the spot?

The previous system was exactly that. It's a £7 charge and the driver paid on exit at a barrier. This is without doubt a money making exercise as so many people will be getting caught out. This is probably why they're offering a £25 charge if paid straight away. 

Are they? £25?

Please show that NTK as it is good evidence that getting £25 as the discounted PCN sum is viable.