New controversial parking meter system comes into effect

A NEW, controversial parking metre system came into effect in the Tzaneen Central Business District (CBD) on Wednesday.

The parking metre system was privatized and numerous business owners complained to the HERALD this week that they were never consulted on the privatization process or properly informed by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality on how the new system will work.

Apparently monthly parking anywhere in the CBD can be purchased upfront at R300 per spot. This has business owners up in arms.

The already over-crowded Danie Joubert Street will now have monthly ticket holders occupying the very limited parking spots in the main street.

As it is, parking in the main street of town is at a premium and vehicles driving up and down hunting for a parking stop contributes to massive congestion and very slow moving traffic.

Now the limited available parking will be occupied by vehicles with a monthly ticket exemption. Businesses stand to lose millions of rands – simply because there will be no parking available in the centre of town.

One business owner told the HERALD that another business owner purchased eight month tickets.

This is cheaper than any other parking in a normal parking garage and the ticket holder will simply park his eight cars in front of his business because he is not dependant on patrons who frequent his business by car.

There is clearly a growing number of concerns which, mostly, emanates from a lack of communication from the municipality. Business owners were never consulted or informed and no press releases or advertisements were issued with information, implementation dates, etc.

The policing of the new system is also a major cause for concern.

People in brownish uniforms have been visible in the town centre. Yet, nobody knows whether they are trained traffic cops with judicial authority or merely sophisticated car guards.

The LETABA HERALD will publish more on this story next week.