Hand-held parking meters on the cards

BUFFALO City Metro motorists will soon see marshals managing parking spaces around central business districts in an effort to regulate and control parking in the CBD.

BCM’s commander for traffic services Quintin Chetty told the Daily Dispatch about the new proposed by-law to introduce hand-held parking meters operated by the marshals.

Chetty said in preparing for the implementation of the by-law the metro was conducting public participation sessions for BCM residents.

“Council had to review what parking management system they want to put in place. The current one that runs around all cities at this stage is the hand-held system.”

Chetty said the maximum parking time would be two hours. This means motorists wanting to park for more than two hours would have to move their cars to other bays.

The new initiative, if implemented would also generate revenue for BCM.

Currently motorists who work in the CBD areas use most of the available parking space, parking their vehicles for the whole day without paying for the space.

Once gazetted, the by-law would give BCM the power to appoint a service provider to manage the implementation of the system.

Chetty said the marshals would be employed by the service provider that was awarded the tender.

He said it was vital for residents to take part in the public participation sessions as the bylaws affect them.

Businesses will also be affected by the proposed by-law as they often use the parking space around Buffalo City CBD.

The first public participation session took place in King William’s Town last week.

Another session, which was scheduled to take place in Braelyn, failed as no one showed up. As a result the metro will organise another session for the East London area.

Chetty said the plan was to implement the bylaw this year.

The draft by-law provides for a penalty fine of up to R20 000 or 90 days in jail, or both, for anyone who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of the by-law.

Another public participation session will take place today from 10am at Mdantsane’s NU1 community hall. —