Voice of the People

As one who frequents downtown HRM (Halifax and Dartmouth), I am compelled to offer this comment on the recently implemented parking zonal system:

A total catastrophe!

Purchase parking time in one of these zones if you dare! Each driver must purchase time from one of the pay kiosks theoretically located on the sidewalk close to one’s vehicle. I have experienced zones in the downtown area where there is not a kiosk within hundreds of yards. If you go searching, you risk getting a ticket while you are gone from the vehicle.

Once you locate a kiosk, you require an IT degree to navigate the multi-step process needed to secure a receipt to display with your allotted time.

The “control panel” has a keyboard for entering your plate number and also a menu which prompts you to select and pay for parking, either with coins or credit/debit.

The steps are many and inconsistent with the previous buttons you had to push. Often, the buttons don’t respond; push again. Coins often are not granted entry. Debit cards fail. Credit cards, if you get that far, seem to finish the transaction and allow you your receipt.

It’s tragic to see numerous people hunched over a kiosk, cards in hand, totally bewildered at how to use the machine.

I have personally assisted three folks in getting their parking, all at their wits’ end, begging someone to help them.

Whoever sold this system to HRM must be chuckling heartily. For people able to complete a transaction, there are parking spots to choose from, albeit spendy. However, downtown merchants might be crying at the lack of patrons who are terrified to try to park near downtown. I feel that this system could have been designed much more simply for everyone. Malcolm Macpherson, Valley