Drop-off and pick-up arrangements at OR Tambo International Airport, a problem area since flights began post lockdown, have been improved.
According to an Acsa release, the upper roadway is open for drop-offs only. Pick-ups are not permitted. Selected entrances to the terminal building from this upper roadway have been opened and branded banners have been placed indicating the open entrances. Driver-only vehicles will not be allowed on to the upper roadway, and Ekurhuleni Metro Police will continue to control access to it.
There are now ground-level exit and entry points at the terminal for passengers who need to get to the open-air piazza area to reach their taxi or e-hailing service.
The lower roadway, on the same level as the arrivals hall, is now open for pick-ups by private vehicles. Pick-ups are also permitted from Parkade 2 South, levels 2, 3 and 4, where parking for the first 30 minutes is free. If drivers are within the 30-minute grace period, they need not get out of their vehicle to go to a parking payment machine. They can proceed to the exit boom, where the ticket scanners have been programmed to open for vehicles that are within the 30-minute grace period.
Inbound passengers are directed through a covered bridge from the terminal building to Parkade 2 South, which has four levels. Exits from each level of this parkade ultimately channel traffic into single lanes and on to the freeway. This configuration has been in place since the parkade was built.
The parkade for long-term parking, underneath City Lodge, has also opened. When motorists enter and arrive at the boom, before they can take a ticket at the boom, a voice plays a warning that they are entering a long-term parking where tariffs are high for short stays, but average out at R65 per day after four days, according to the release.
