THE first phase of the park and pay system Port Shepstone and Margate is to start in two weeks’ time.
The new parking system will officially start on February 10 in these towns.
“Anyone using the public parking in these towns will be required to pay for parking between 8am and 5pm during weekdays and 8am and 2pm on Saturdays,” said Hibiscus Coast Municipality mayor Cynthia Mqwebu.
The costs for parking are R2 for 20 minutes, R3 for 30 minutes and R6 for an hour. Payment can be done with coins or ItraMAS smart cards for those who would have registered.
“Non-payment, or any other violation of the parking system, will carry a fine of R200 per violation. Non-payment of the fines within the stipulated time frames will lead to summonses being issued.
“The method of operating the parking meters is very simple as instructions will also be displayed in English, Afrikaans or IsiZulu. Motorists will just insert sufficient coins into the parking meter and the parking time will be displayed on the screen according to the inserted amount. After pressing the green button a receipt will be issued, this receipt should be displayed inside the windscreen of the vehicle, clearly visible from the outside,” explained the mayor.
She added that traffic wardens will monitor the parking spaces online and, if the parking management system shows that the meter has expired, or if there is a vehicle parked in the bay and the meter shows no payment, a parking violation notice will be issued.
“Neither ItraMAS nor the municipality will be held liable if the motorist has paid the parking attendant, drivers are warned, so make sure that payment is made at the parking meter,” she said.
“The system will create a number of job opportunities, those employed will receive uniforms and be trained to assist motorists on how to use the parking meters, as well as to watch over the vehicles parked,” she concluded.
