Parking rates to be cut by 50% – Mayor

Mayor yesterday announced plans to slash parking rates by 50%.

At a meeting yesterday with members of the commercial banking community, Chase-Green said the rates would possibly be reduced to a rate of $28 VAT inclusive for 15 minutes or just over $100 per hour. She said too that discussions are ongoing to allow drivers to use purchased time at any parking space in the city. At present, the contract between Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the Mayor and City Council provides for paid parking at a rate of $50 plus VAT for 15 minutes of parking or over $200 per hour.

Drivers are also only able to use purchased time at the parking space identified on the ticket. The Mayor made no announcements in relation to the fees for violations, but they are, however, expected to also be reduced by 50%. These include a $8,000 immobilisation (booting) fee, a $12,000 towing fee; a $7,000 impoundment fee and a $7,000 storage fee for every elapsed period of 24 hours a vehicle is impounded, all of which attract VAT.