It’s been eight months since residents began paying for parking in the CBD, yet problems with the system keep increasing.
From vandalised and damaged parking sensors to allegations of ‘cheating the system’, numerous motorists contacted the Newcastle Advertiser as a last resort.
With Newcastle without metered parking for almost 10 years, this system has not been readily received by residents.
Some of the mishaps shared by annoyed motorists included a scenario where the motorists’ vehicle was scanned in upon entering the parking area, but they could not locate the marshal when exiting the occupied parking.
Head of Communications at the Newcastle Municipality, Mlungisi Khumalo explained:
“Generally, there should be a marshal at every entrance and exit. In recent times, we have seen an interruption with the network, due to load shedding, causing a marshal to leave their post to go to the office and have their devices checked and rebooted.”
Khumalo said this was communicated to the equipment providers of the system and was being resolved.
“Motorists are urged to exercise reasonable patience when such incidents occur,” he added.
With reports of bogus marshals posing as appointed Traffic Management System (TMS) marshals, Khumalo warned motorists to be alert of the following details when approached by a parking marshal:
– A marshal is easily identifiable by a reflective uniform, carrying a parking device.
– A marshal who is not carrying any parking device is not official and motorists should not entertain such an individual.
– A parking marshal’s uniform should reflect the logo of the Newcastle Municipality and that of Traffic Management Systems on the front end of the jacket, and the back side of the jacket should bear the words ‘Parking Marshal’.
Khumalo added many motorists who have reportedly refused to adhere to the paid parking regulations, could be charged with a fine and incur other costs.
“The Newcastle Local Municipality has parking management by-laws which are enforceable as approved by the magistrate. Hence, a fine will be imposed and/or the vehicle can be towed and impounded,” he warned.
The municipality further advised motorists to pay upfront for parking, in order to avoid the accumulation of parking fees.
“Motorists should insist on a receipt from a marshal. Motorists are to only pay for time spent as per the parking signs which have been erected,” concluded Khumalo.
The service provider (TMS) urged motorists to communicate and escalate matters pertaining to the parking meters timeously to its Director, Jeffrey Fokane via email jeffreyfokane@icloud.com, visit the TMS offices on Voortrekker Street at the Old Mutual Building, Room 201 or alternatively contact the office on 065 870 2254.
ALSO READ: Free parking in the CBD now a thing of the past
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