More pay and display parking is being introduced to areas of the Central Business District and Ponsonby.
It aims to free up parking in some of Auckland’s busiest areas for shoppers, workers and business people.
Trials of the coin-operated machines in some parts of the CBD and in Parnell have shown they are more effective than
traditional single-head meters.
“There has been a real reduction of our two most common problems – people not paying for their parking or overstaying
their time,” says Parking Services manager Wes Hogman.
“We all know the frustrations of driving around looking for somewhere to park. Pay and display creates greater turnover
in spaces, so more on-street parking is available for short stay motorists.
“The city can’t create any more roadside parking, so managing what we do have is important if we want people to be able
move around Auckland more easily.”
The changes are taking place under the Central Area Parking Policy adopted by Council last June. It says all free,
unrestricted parking spaces will be removed from the CBD over the next two years.
Work to install 250 pay and display machines in parts of the CBD and Ponsonby has started, with major roads on the
programme including Ponsonby Road, College Hill, Karangahape Road, Pitt Street, Upper Queen Street, Symonds Street,
Wellesley Street, Cook Street and Nelson Street.
Residents and business owners in the relevant areas will be informed by letter as the programme rolls on.
About $2.4 million will be spent on the parking measures this financial year. This includes about 180 new machines
already operating in Newmarket and parts of the CBD.
cont’d…
Mr Hogman says the machines are better for motorists, as well as for pedestrian safety and the look of the city’s
streets.
“They are faster, easy to use and the ticket acts as a receipt, so there are fewer disputes. The machine displays expiry
time and price before purchase and it also won’t dispense a ticket if there are parking restrictions, so people can’t
get caught out.
“We need fewer machines than with single-head meters, so there is less clutter on footpaths and they’re easier for
pedestrians to see.”
ENDS