Valet parking concept catching on in SA now

VALET parking is very popular in the USA, England and Europe, being offered at hotels, casinos, airports, harbours even shopping malls.

The concept of valet parking is quite unknown in South Africa and basically only found at our international airports, such as OR Tambo, Cape Town International and King Shaka International (Durban).

The fact that it is so unknown also makes a lot of people nervous about using such a service. The main reason, as we see it, is that ‘unknown’ fact, and how do I give my car to a stranger to look after.

So basically valet parking means you make a booking with the valet parking company and then on the day, at the time you have agreed upon you drive in your vehicle to the point or as close as possible to where you have business or are departing from.

At this collection point the valet company takes your car from you and parks it in a safe place, usually its own secure facility nearby with 24-hour security, controlled access and then returns it to you, when you return at a point agreed upon.

Bear in mind that most valet companies operate from one point only (for collections and deliveries).

TPMS a local company, operating in Durban, has various pickup and delivery points; for example King Shaka International Airport, Durban Harbour, Durban Train Station and Durban Bus Depot.

This means that you can depart from one point, return back to it or to any other one of their collection/delivery points. Delivery and collection times are always stipulated by you the client.

Valet parking provides a hassle free parking alternative. No more having to remember what you did with the parking ticket, trying to remember where you parked your car in the first place, and never again having to run around in the rain trying to locate your car.

There are normally also quite a few different parking packages available to suit each and every individual/company’s need, for example shaded parking, under cover parking in a lock up garage, pensioner rates, discounts for referrals, account facilities, long term contracts, etc.

Valet parking is a convenient alternative parking solution, usually cheaper than parking at airports and much safer than parking in public parking areas or garages