Derby taxi drivers raise concerns over new ANPR system at Train Station car park
Derby, UK.
Local Derby professional drivers have raised concerns about the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system being introduced at Derby Train Station’s car park, warning that regular short visits to pick up and drop off passengers could inadvertently lead to unfair penalty charges.
The Derby and Area Taxi Association (D.A.T.A.), which aims to unify and connect, often voiceless, licensed professional drivers across the city, has written to East Midlands Railway (EMR) seeking clarification and reassurance about how the system will recognise local Derby licensed vehicles.
Barrier-less entry and exit systems are a positive step forward for Derby Station and EMR, helping to reduce congestion and queues caused by ticket collection at entry points, It’s safer all round. However, many drivers enter and exit the car park several times a day, an hour even, as part of legitimate passenger work.
Concerns have been raised that ANPR systems, which automatically record vehicle entry and exit times, have a known history of incorrectly linking multiple short visits into one long stay.
This leads to penalty charge notices being issued even when no parking breach has occurred.
A spokesperson for D.A.T.A said:
“Our members provide an essential link for Derby’s rail passengers, particularly late-night arrivals, families with luggage, or travellers needing extra assistance. But there’s growing unease, based on real world experience, that regular station pick-ups could be misread by the ANPR system, resulting in penalty notices.
“Passenger safety is our top priority. If drivers start avoiding the car park out of fear of being fined, we’ll see more drop-offs happening on the main road outside the station. That means more congestion and people crossing busy roads with luggage or children — nobody wants anyone getting hurt.”
D.A.T.A. have opened a conversation with EMR to better understand the new parking systems.
Similar issues have been reported at other stations, airports, and shopping centres around the UK, where frequent commercial access has conflicted with automated ANPR enforcement systems. These often result in penalty notices that must be appealed, often unsuccessfully, through third-party parking management companies.
D.A.T.A. has expressed its willingness to work collaboratively with East Midlands Railway to ensure both passenger safety and fairness for local drivers. Establishing approved vehicle access, they say, could be a simple, effective way to maintain safe and reliable station pick-ups, particularly as Derby heads into the busy winter travel season.
You can find more infomation, published by East Midlands Railway here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/anpr-car-parking
At this stage the car park will be managed by APCOA it seems. APCOA also manage various airport car parks and drop off points via ANPR systems.