The City of Cape Town recently concluded a public participation initiative on a proposed three year managed parking tender for a number of parking hotspots in and around Cape Town. The current managed parking contract is due to be replaced during the course of next year and residents were requested to comment on a number of proposals relating to existing and new on- and off-street parking areas to be included in the tender. These proposals included the introduction of after-hours managed parking in certain high demand areas, such as the Long Street ‘entertainment’ hub.
The City is proposing that the new tender will provide for parking payments by means of an EMV compliant electronic card, such as the myconnect, Tap-i-Fare cards or any bank issued near field communication EMV card , and hand-held meters that will automatically print a receipt which reflects the date time and car registration number.
All parking marshals will need to be clearly identifiable by means of a uniform and ID card, and carry a two-way radio.
Following the public participation process the following areas are proposed on-street parking areas. These areas will be managed on weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00:
- Bellville
- Cape Town CBD
- Claremont
- Kloof Street / Gardens
- Newlands
- Rondebosch
- Sea Point (including the Gallows Hill parking area)
- Somerset West
- Strand CBD
The portion of the proposal that allowed for after-hours as well as weekend and seasonal parking management was not widely supported and thus will not be implemented.
It is proposed that the following areas be included in the proposed parking management tender in terms of off-street parking management:
- Buitengracht median
- Roggebaai Square
- Duhbe Secure Parking
- Darling Street (Grand Parade)
- Libertas Square parking
- Hans Strijdom Avenue
- Corner of Buitengracht and Hout Streets
- Buitengracht / Bain / Stainley Streets
- Between Castle and Hout Streets
- Riebeeck Square
- Ryk Tulbagh
- Salazar Square
- Mostert Street
“Based on the feedback received it was very clear that there was strong resistance to the after-hours or night managed parking proposal and thus this will not be implemented. Council will instead authorise a tender for the management of on and off-street parking at various locations in the city, excluding the night parking proposal, ” said Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater.
“Managed on-street parking in high demand areas such as the City Centre is an important part of our travel demand management role. Studies have shown that drivers looking for parking contribute about 30% to traffic congestion. The purpose of charging for on street parking is to ensure an appropriate turnover of parking bays and that there is always about 15% vacancy of bays to accommodate demand and reduce congestion. A constant turnover is essential to support the retail and commercial activity in the area,” Cllr Herron added.
It is envisioned that the tender will be advertised in the last quarter of 2012, with contracts being implemented in the third quarter of 2013.
