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Airport operator DAA is seeking planning permission to install a new paid pick-up and drop-off area at Dublin Airport, in an effort to reduce car trips to and from the facility and prevent private drivers from picking up passengers outside of the terminals.
The proposed new paid pickup and drop off zones, which will need to be approved by the Fingal County Council, will operate in front of Terminal One and Terminal Two, and will not be introduced during the Covid-19 crisis.
According to plans, DAA will change the design of the internal road and install new lanes and barriers at the main exit of the airport.
Currently private vehicles can drop off in front of both terminals at Dublin Airport, but private vehicle pickup is not allowed. A DAA spokesperson said the current system has been “abused” by some for years, with cars illegally stopping to wait for pickup or circling campus roads several times before picking up a person.
While DAA has not decided which charges to implement in the new established area, the figures from Cork Airport are worth noting, where a similar operation is being implemented. There, the first 15 minutes are free. Then a driver pays € 3 for 16-20 minutes, € 5 for 21-30 minutes, € 10 for 31-60 minutes and € 20 for 61-120 minutes. Anyone staying longer than 121 minutes can have their car insured or towed.
There is also a similar scheme at Belfast International Airport, although the driver is charged £ 1 to be in the drop-off lane for up to 10 minutes, with prices increasing for longer stays. Parking fees for Dublin Airport pickup start from € 3.
Sustainability initiatives
DAA said the goal of the new system is to reduce car trips to and from the airport and to encourage passengers to make greater use of public transportation. All revenue generated will be invested in sustainability initiatives at the airport, including a proposed solar farm, the conversion of its fleet of cars and staff shuttle bus fleet from diesel vehicles to low-emission vehicles and the installation of more points electric vehicle charging.
A spokesperson added that the new system will not be introduced during the pandemic, but works will be carried out shortly if the project receives approval from planning authorities. “It will be more efficient to complete construction work during the current drop in passenger numbers, as there will be significantly less disruption to the airport’s road network,” he said.
In addition, the option of free delivery and free pick-up will continue to be available in the long-stay red express car park. A new reduced-rate 30-minute parking period will also be introduced in the short-term car parks at Dublin Airport, next to the passenger terminals.
The new toll booths will accept toll card, card and cash payments.
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