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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/11/uber-drivers-villages-heathrow-huge-distress
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Uber drivers waiting in villages near Heathrow cause 'huge distress' | Uber drivers waiting in villages near Heathrow cause 'huge distress' |
(4 months later) | |
Uber drivers waiting in villages around Heathrow have been blocked from collecting air passengers after causing “huge distress” to local communities, according to the airport’s boss. | Uber drivers waiting in villages around Heathrow have been blocked from collecting air passengers after causing “huge distress” to local communities, according to the airport’s boss. |
The number of arriving passengers requesting a car via the global firm’s app rather than taking an airport taxi has led to a surge in vehicles waiting unofficially in neighbouring villages such as Stanwell and Sipson. | The number of arriving passengers requesting a car via the global firm’s app rather than taking an airport taxi has led to a surge in vehicles waiting unofficially in neighbouring villages such as Stanwell and Sipson. |
Heathrow’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Uber drivers are parking in people’s driveways, leaving a load of rubbish in the drives and causing a huge amount of distress.” | Heathrow’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Uber drivers are parking in people’s driveways, leaving a load of rubbish in the drives and causing a huge amount of distress.” |
Uber has “geo-fenced” the villages in its app, he said, so that its drivers cannot pick up fares from Heathrow while waiting in those areas. | Uber has “geo-fenced” the villages in its app, he said, so that its drivers cannot pick up fares from Heathrow while waiting in those areas. |
Instead, Heathrow has announced it is planning to build a waiting area capable of holding about 800 private hire vehicles on the airport’s northern perimeter road. | Instead, Heathrow has announced it is planning to build a waiting area capable of holding about 800 private hire vehicles on the airport’s northern perimeter road. |
A spokesman said the move was in response to “unacceptable behaviour” from Uber drivers that had become a major local concern. | A spokesman said the move was in response to “unacceptable behaviour” from Uber drivers that had become a major local concern. |
Residents had reported drivers dropping litter, blocking access and urinating in gardens. | Residents had reported drivers dropping litter, blocking access and urinating in gardens. |
Uber said it had voluntarily installed the geo-fencing in response to complaints, and had been urging Heathrow for some time to come up with the alternative parking solution announced on Wednesday. | Uber said it had voluntarily installed the geo-fencing in response to complaints, and had been urging Heathrow for some time to come up with the alternative parking solution announced on Wednesday. |
The move was announced as Heathrow unveiled new proposals, including curbs on night flights, and agreed to meet or exceed the Airports Commission’s conditions, should permission for a third runway be granted by the government. | The move was announced as Heathrow unveiled new proposals, including curbs on night flights, and agreed to meet or exceed the Airports Commission’s conditions, should permission for a third runway be granted by the government. |