On-street Parking Changes From 15 October

The first of a series of parking fee changes designed to ease pressure on Wellington CBD parking spaces and make things easier for motorists making several quick stops are to be introduced from 15 October.

From that date, drivers will also be able to use unexpired ?pay and display' parking time in various parts of the central city provided the vehicle is parked in zones with the same or lower parking fee.

Since pay and display machines were introduced, motorists have had to display a parking coupon from a machine in the street in which the vehicle is parked.

Councillor Andy Foster, Wellington City Council's Transport Portfolio Leader, says some motorists - especially those making a number of stops around town in a short period - have found the need to keep getting new coupons, every time they stop, "somewhat time-consuming and frustrating".

"The new system aims to reduce that sort of hassle," he says.

Also from 15 October, the minimum amount a motorist can pay for parking in the CBD will be $1 - which  will help counter the habits of some taxi drivers, especially, who park in CBD parking spaces and 'feed' meters with as little as 10 cents a time ? thus denying other motorists the opportunity to park.

The Council is presently working on a change of bylaws that will make it illegal for taxi drivers to use general pay-and-display parking spaces close to existing taxi stands in a number of streets where taxis monopolise much of the parking.

Cr Foster says the 15 October changes have been introduced following the Council's Long Term Plan deliberations earlier this year.

He says the Council agreed that an overall increase in maximum hourly parking fees was not warranted - especially given the tough economic climate.

"Lots of submitters - including retailers - told us we should not raise the maximum hourly fee above $4.

"However we did agree that a number of changes can be made to ease pressure on parking in the CBD and make things cheaper for motorists prepared to get out and walk a bit."

On-street weekend parking in the CBD would also continue to be free.

The Council is working on other parking changes where parking fees could be reduced in areas where occupancy of car parks is low including parts of Te Aro, Kent and Cambridge Terrace and the Hutt Road. It will also be looking at the possible introduction of low evening parking fees in the busy entertainment areas around Courtenay Place

Cr Foster says: "If we can give more motorists more of an incentive to park in areas where there's a bit less demand then overall it'll mean more people get a chance to park in the city."

These proposals will be brought to Councillors to consider in the next few months. If approved, the new zones and fees could be introduced early next year.