It was not an ideal start this morning to the introduction of new parking charges on Queenstown’s Boundary and Ballarat Streets.

 

“Having put a lot of effort into canvassing the change, this morning people parking and coming to terms with the new regime faced an added complication,” Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander said.

 The new pay and display machines - provided by Global Integrated Solutions Limited – unfortunately displayed the wrong amount.

 “Global provides most of the pay and display technology in the country but unfortunately on this occasion the wrong figure was downloaded and instead of being charged the new fee of 50 cents an hour on Boundary Street (with a cap of $2.50) the machines were charging $2 an hour,” Mr Mander said.

 The mistake was a technology glitch on the part of the provider.

 “It’s disappointing but fortunately we picked it up pretty fast thanks to some informed members of the community and an early morning call to the Council,” he said.

 On Ballarat the charge was the status quo of 50 cents instead of the new fee of $1.

 “So depending where you parked you either paid more than you should or less, not an ideal start,” Mr Mander said.

 Those that paid less could count it a bonus but those that paid more were entitled to be compensated.

“We don’t think it affected a large number of people until we became aware of this and turned the machines off this morning, but if someone was affected they should bring their docket into the Council to receive a refund,” Mr Mander said.

 Global was confident it would have the correct pay and display details up and running from tomorrow, he said.

 

ENDS

For further information please contact Denis Mander 03 441 0499.

By: Andrea Bunting