HARTENBOS NEWS - A member of the public complained on a community Facebook site after paying R890 for parking at the Hartenbos Seefront on Saturday, 7 December.
The post on Facebook drew much attention, with several members of the public posting comments and also complaining.
The motorist also emailed her complaint to the ATKV Hartenbos, which forwarded the email to Hartenbos Seefront.
Explained
Hartenbos Seefront explained the parking tariffs this week.
The woman had parked in the Seefront parking area from 8:30 to 15:30.
Hartenbos Seeftont noted that the parking tariffs are clearly advertised at all the entrances to the centre as well as on the pay stations.
It also noted that the boom gates to the parking area are only operational during the December / January season and the Easter holidays and Easter weekend.
At other times throughout the year the parking, which is secure, is free.
Tenants
The Seefront pointed out that it is a shopping centre that has to look after the wellbeing of its tenants.
It stated that the boom gates being operational during Easter and the Christmas holiday, prevented people parking for a whole day while going to the beach and not the shops.
"Without the boom gates in place during the holiday season we might as well close many of the shops," the Seefront pointed out.
It explained why the motorist had accumulated a R890 parking fee.
Grace period
Every motorist gets a 30-minute grace period to park and shop without paying anything.
Thereafter:
30 – 60 min = R10
1 – 2 hours = R20
2 – 3 hours = R40
3 – 4 hours = R70
4 – 5 hours = R140
Calculates
After that, the parking machine calculates R250/hour or part of the hour.
The R890 ticket was made up of R140 for 4 - 5 hours, plus R750 (for the next 3 hours) = R890.
Hartenbos Seefront stated: "Although we are a shopping centre that needs to put our tenants and customers needs to the forefront, we do believe that five hours to go to the beach, and so forth, is more than ample time, hence the R140 for five hours equals R28 per hour for safe and secure parking.
Free extra parking
"However, customers/visitors to Pick n Pay, Wellness World gym and the Seefront Karwas (carwash) get free extra parking.
"Pick n Pay customers can scan their till slip for an additional 60 minutes' free parking and Wellness World and Karwas users get 90 minutes free parking."
The Seefront emphasises: "All of this is stated on the parking tariff boards."
The tariffs are printed on sign boards at the Seefront.
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