**Bristol Airport Announces Cashless Overhaul for Drop and Go Car Park**
Bristol Airport has revealed significant changes to its Drop and Go car park, marking a move towards a fully cashless payment system from the start of next week. The adjustment, scheduled to come into force on Monday 12 May, is part of a broader drive to modernise the airport’s facilities and improve the experience for the millions of passengers passing through its terminals annually.
At present, the Drop and Go car park is located immediately adjacent to the terminal building. It is a popular choice for those wishing to drop off departing passengers quickly and efficiently, boasting five exit barriers to keep vehicles moving. However, users have until now been able to pay for their brief stays using both cash and card. That arrangement is about to change.
From next week, drivers utilising the Drop and Go area will no longer be able to pay with cash. Instead, payment will be accepted exclusively via card or contactless technology, including widely used platforms such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. This marks a step towards streamlining the process at the car park, potentially reducing queues and making for a swifter exit for busy travellers.
To facilitate the change and assist those who are unfamiliar or less comfortable with cashless payments, airport personnel will be on hand to guide and support customers. Furthermore, the implementation of an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system will eliminate the need for tickets entirely. Upon entry, the system will register a vehicle’s number plate, with payment processed automatically as motorists depart. This touchless, ticketless environment is expected to enhance the efficiency of short-term parking at the airport.
While these changes affect only the Drop and Go facility, other parking options on the premises will retain cash payment capabilities. Those using the Short Stay, Pick Up, or multi-storey car parks will continue to find payment machines at their respective exits, as well as on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, where both cash and card are accepted. This ensures that passengers and airport visitors who prefer to use cash still have convenient options available.
Rupert Lawrie, Commercial Director at Bristol Airport, commented on the development: “By moving away from cash payments in Drop and Go, it should mean customers spend the minimum amount of time in the car park and can exit promptly, ensuring traffic flow continues to move smoothly.” His statement underscores the airport’s commitment to minimising wait times and maintaining effective vehicle circulation, particularly during peak travel periods.
This cashless initiative comes amid a period of extensive investment and redevelopment at Bristol Airport. A new £60 million Public Transport Interchange and an additional multi-storey car park are scheduled to open this summer, with a pedestrian bridge linking to the terminal currently being constructed. Once complete, the Drop and Go facility will be relocated to this new interchange, and the bus and coach bays will expand significantly from five to sixteen. These upgrades are expected to establish Bristol Airport as one of the region’s key transport interchanges, making public transport more accessible for passengers.
The Drop Off and Pick Up car park within the new Public Transport Interchange will also operate on a cashless basis and feature eight exit lanes, further reducing congestion for users. This project forms part of the airport’s wider development strategy, designed to increase its annual passenger capacity to 12 million and ensure the infrastructure keeps pace with rising demand for air travel in the South West.
For now, Bristol Airport’s transition towards cashless payments signals both a response to customer demand for convenience and a wider trend across the travel sector to embrace digital technology. Time will tell whether the move is met with universal approval from all passengers, but airport officials remain confident that these changes will ultimately enhance the travel experience for everyone.