POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality says it will introduce off street parking management for parking areas within the city to ensure that there is adequate parking for motorists, cleanliness and safety at the parking areas with reasonable tariffs.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the municipality says the management of parking will be effective from 20 February 2017 and will be operating from 07h30 to 17h30 on weekdays and from 07h30 to 14h00 on Saturdays. Sundays and Public Holidays will be for free.

Polokwane Municipality Spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo says Leelyn Management has been appointed to manage the facilities on behalf of the municipality. “The following parking areas will be managed and paid for: Absa Square, Thabo Mbeki next to KFC, Shoprite/Irish House and the Civic Centre Parking,” he says.

Mothapo says the tariffs will range from R6.00 to R48.00 depending on the duration parked and says the municipality has conducted public participation on the tariffs and they have been gazetted.

“Apart from allowing the city to grow smart, among others, the benefits of managed parking include reduced traffic as fewer cars are required to drive around in search of an open parking space, reduced pollution, new revenue streams, increased safety and better service,” he explained

Motorists are advised and encouraged to use the system to their benefit and also cooperate with those in charge of the facilities.

The initiative is also set to create employment with Mothapo saying about 16 young local people have been employed on the project.

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za