Motorists in Central Georgetown were more relaxed in their approach to paid parking spaces yesterday but there were still many empty slots following Tuesday’s launch of the controversial project.
On Monday, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan approved the Georgetown Metered Parking by-laws, which now requires motorists to pay to park in designated areas of the city.
Motorists in response, had displayed their objection to the implementation of the paid parking system by avoiding the designated parking spaces in Central Georgetown, leaving an abundance of empty streets on Tuesday, while others who parked in the paid parking spaces simply ignored the parking meters.
During tours of Central Georgetown on Tuesday morning and afternoon, Stabroek News observed numerous empty parking spaces, notably along Robb, Carmichael, Main and Water streets, as well as sections along the Avenue of the Republic.
The situation, however showed a slight improvement yesterday, as more parking spaces were occupied compared to what had been observed the previous day.
However, upon closer inspection, Stabroek News noticed that only a handful of vehicles displayed parking meter receipts on their dashboards, confirming their payment of the parking fees, while countless others had opted not to use the paid parking system.
Those who chose not to pay the stipulated parking fees discovered adhesive warning stickers plastered on the windshields of their vehicles, reminding them of the introduction of the new paid parking system and the possible sanctions that would accompany their failure to comply.
“Attention: this vehicle can be subject to a parking fine due to lack of parking payment or by parking in a prohibited area. Please note that you have not yet been fined because of the adjustment grace period. Any further violations of parking regulation should be subject to law enforcement measures,” the sticker read.
Meanwhile, Kit Nascimento, spokesperson for Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company contracted for the project, on Tuesday said that while persons are expected to comply with the new parking system, those who opted not to pay the fees will not yet be sanctioned, as SCS is willing to be lenient with users until they familiarize themselves with the new system.
Whilst SCS information officers were positioned in different parking zones to render assistance to the general public on the use of the parking meters, the company went a step further yesterday and issued a press release with instructions on how to use the meters.
“Smart City Solutions (SCS) has noticed that in spite of extensive information published across the media, on the company’s website and on social media, including ongoing televised demonstrations on how to operate the parking meter, some persons are having difficulties,” the media bulletin stated.
The release continued:
“These are the steps as listed:
- Purchase a parking meter card from any of the 100 + sales outlets advertised in the media.
- When you drive into the designated parking spot, note the number on the post pointing to the marked parking space you have chosen.
- Go to the machine with your prepaid GeoPark parking card.
- Read the instructions on the meter screen if you are in doubt.
- Start the machine by pressing the green button.
- Type in your parking space number.
- Press the green button again to confirm it on the screen.
- Then press the blue button with the + sign to select the time you wish to park and pay for.
- Press the green button again to confirm your selection.
- Place the prepaid parking card flat (either side) against the reader located below on the right to activate the payment. Ensure on the screen that the meter has read your card.
- You will hear a ‘BEEP’ to indicate that your card is read and that your printed receipt is ready to be collected at the slot below.
- Place the receipt in your car on the dashboard facing the windshield where it is visible so that the time you have paid for can clearly be seen by the patrolling officers.
Failure to display receipt properly or parking your car in excess of the time paid for will result in your car being immobilized.
Once a vehicle is immobilized, stickers will be placed on the driver side window to inform drivers of the immobilization and provide instructions and a contact number for resolution of the matter,” the release concluded.
The parking meter by-laws were approved by council on December 12, 2016 for the controversial project, which is meant to be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, 157 meters will be installed to cover 3,237 spaces, and in the second phase, scheduled for the first three months of 2017, approximately 163 meters will be installed to cover another 4,000 spaces.
The meters are operational from Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm, and parking costs $50 per 15-minute period.
