The City of Cape Town has drafted a new parking by-law to control public parking and invites the public to comment on it before 30 September 2009.

The new by-law prescribes rules for public parking within the City’s area of jurisdiction, facilitates the enforcement of parking regulations and addresses impermissible conduct relating to public parking. It also covers parking permits, payment for parking, where people may park (including controlled parking grounds) and regulates taxi and bus parking. Once proclaimed, it will facilitate the enforcement of parking regulations.

As part of the City’s mandatory by-law public participation procedure, the document is available for public viewing at libraries, subcouncil offices. (this process closed on 30 September 2009)

“We encourage all interested parties to submit their comments as this will help us draft a good piece of legislation which balances everyone’s rights in the city,” says Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral committee member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater.

The public is urged to submit their comments using any of the following methods:-
e-mail to parkingbylawcomments@capetown.gov.za; fax to 086 540 0475; or delivery to subcouncil offices.

“All written comments submitted via these channels will be taken into account during the process of finalising this legislation,” says Thompson.

The draft by-law will replace the existing parking by-laws, established by the former municipalities which have since been incorporated into City of Cape Town. The existing parking by-laws are limited to certain areas with no uniformity. The new by-law not only standardises parking management procedures, but satisfies the requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998, which compels South African municipalities to review and rationalise by-laws issued by previous municipalities.

Cape Town currently has an estimated 1 023 000 vehicles using its 8 500 km of public roads, and parking and the regulation thereof is of vital importance to ensure order and availability. Statistics show that the number of vehicles is increasing by about 3.4% per annum, which puts a great deal of strain on private parking lots, park ‘n ride facilities, on-street parking facilities and public parking bays within the municipality, particularly the CBD. Currently, the City is working to ensure that no more than 85% of inner city parking bays is occupied so that 15% of bays are constantly available to motorists entering the area. This is a sizeable challenge, given that approximately 200 000 people work in or visit the central city every day, and 5 000 people live in it.

Bay and kerbside parking is currently managed by means of a City contract. The contracted company employs parking attendants who carry portable meters and collect parking fares from those using the parking space. Tariffs and limits on parking times, which vary depending on the location of the bay, ensure that parking spaces are not monopolised for lengthy periods. Motorists pay using cash or electronic payment cards, called ‘City Cards’ (which are issued by the City, and are available from the parking marshal at a cost of R30.00). Credit on these City Cards can also be uploaded by parking marshalls. Due to the short term nature of the current interim parking contracts, City Card payments have been temporarily suspended, pending the outcome of a court review, which is scheduled to commence in November. It is hoped that City Card payments will be reintroduced later in the year or early next year.

All comments on the draft Parking By-law must be received on or before 30 September 2009. Submissions must be clearly marked with the name of the person, organisation, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address (if applicable).