Parking firm hikes fees

City Parking has reviewed its street parking fees upwards from $120 to $150 per hour in the city as motorists are calling for more visibility of their parking marshals.

The parking firm has also dismissed rumours circulating on social media that the new fee will be $600.

City Parking announced the review of street parking in a statement, saying the new fee will be effective March 1.

“Motorists who park for longer duration are encouraged to make use of our safe, secure and affordable parkades and parking lots,” said City Parking.

City parking public relations manager, Mr Francis Mandaza, dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that parking had been hiked by at least 500 percent.

“Contrary to social media rumours that City Parking would increase parking fees from $120 to $600 per hour, the new parking fee is $150 per hour, which is actually the cheapest in Zimbabwe compared to what other cities are charging,” he said.

“The false figure is malicious and must be ignored. The adjustment to $150 has been necessitated by a rise in operational costs.”

Mr Vitalis Kivhiti, who was parked along Third Street yesterday afternoon, said parking marshals should be more visible at parking lots.

“While the increase is relatively fair, our main worry is that parking marshals should stand in areas where we can notice them easily,” he said. “Most of the time one has to run around looking for parking marshals. This inconveniences a lot.”

Another motorist said the worst experience was when one does not find a parking marshal nearby and goes away with an intention to pay up when they return, only to find the car clamped.

“You will experience the worst as your explanation will have no takers,” he said. “At times you tend to think these parking marshals disappear deliberately with the intention to punish you. Why would they disappear like that when they are employed to facilitate parking in the city?”

Another motorist, Mrs Lucia Chagaresango, said: “There are some bays whose marks are
fading. We hope City Parking will also attend to them quickly so we get value for our
money.”-The Herald