Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg met the required legal
obligations when it established a paid parking system, the municipality
said on Wednesday.
"We issued notes to the public and businesses," Pieter de Klerk, the city's legal representative, told reporters.
"In Parkhurst, questions were raised if it was
sufficient. We thought it was sufficient, but the community wanted more
engagement."
City spokesman Gabu Tugwana said the municipality
believed a well-managed parking system tended to encourage visitors to
business areas because parking was available near businesses.
The areas targeted for the paid parking system were:
Braamfontein, Parkhurst, Rosebank, Roodepoort CBD, Sandton, Corlett
Drive, Brixton, Emmarentia, Birnam, Melville, Florida, Norwood,
Fordsburg, Parkview, Greenside, Craighall Park, Northcliff, Rivonia, and
Linden.
At the moment, tariffs were set at R8 an hour and R4
for half-an-hour. No less than 74.8% of revenue would go to
service provider Ace Parking, and 25.2% of revenue would go to
the City of Johannesburg.
Money generated from fines would go directly to the city.
Tugwana said the city was willing to speak to the communities and ward councillors about the system.
"The door is not closed," he said.
The system is scheduled to be introduced in most areas in June.