adminConfirming the new development in an interview yesterday, the Mayor, Alderman Femius Chakabuda, said the rationale behind introducing pre-paid parking discs was to bring sanity as well as raise revenue for the cash strapped local authority.
The council has since contracted some shops and individuals to sell the parking discs.
The agents include N Richards Wholesale, Nyaningwe Supermarket, Spar Supermarket and some garages.
The pre-paid parking discs were issued to motorists on Monday. The minimum ticket costs 50 cents for a 30-minute parking period and $1 per hour.
Ald Chakabuda said the council had seen it fit to bring order in the city through making motorists pay for parking.
“Although we could not have accurate permutations on how much revenue the local authority was losing in parking fees, it is estimated to be amounting to several thousands of dollars.
“The introduction of pre-paid parking discs serves as a way of bringing order in the city centre, as the traffic volume has increased tremendously. We want to control the movement of traffic and create a revenue base in the process. We have to cushion some departments facing liquidity challenges,” said Ald Chakabuda.
He said the council was educating members of the public on the issue with motorists being the main target.
“We are at present busy educating the motoring public so that they become acquainted with the rules of the new system.
“We don’t want our motorists to be caught unawares. Those with suggestions on how best we can do it are free to come forward with their input and they are welcome. We are prepared to take on board every positive criticism,” he said.
Ald Chakabuda said many motorists were taking advantage of the council’s laxity on controlling traffic and would leave their cars for the whole day thereby depriving genuine businesspeople of parking space.
“We cannot be seen keeping people’s cars for free. All motorists should have to pay for the parking spaces their vehicles occupy. Can you imagine one leaving his car in town and going to Zaka to do his business there?
“If you can calculate the amount of time that car would be parked without the council realising any revenue one would not listen to us when we say we don’t have money.
“This person will be inconveniencing a lot of motorists who would want to do business in town,” he said.
Online Reporter