Aim to wow bus users with rise in parking fees
The long-term strategy was outlined to city councillors on Monday as officials sought backing for a 20 cent increase in the price of a parking disc from June.
Prices at the council’s multistorey car parks will remain the same.
The increase for on-street parking is designed to make the car parks more attractive for long-stay parking.
But the Cork Business Association (CBA) said last night that it is concerned by the proposed increase.
It also described as “draconian” the council’s long-term view to make on-street parking more expensive.
It is seeking an urgent meeting with senior city officials to discuss the latest proposals.
Assistant city manager Dan Buggy briefed councillors on Monday about the new pricing plan.
He said the current price of a parking disc is €1.80, while the price for the first hour of parking in the city’s eight multi-storey car parks ranges between €1.80 and €2.20, and the return price for an adult using a bus is about €2.90.
“Ideally to encourage a modal shift to public transport, both the premium on-street and off-street prices should be set at least above this level,” he said.
But city manager Joe Gavin said he could not say what decisions would be made in the future.
“What we are seeking to implement now is what was agreed at the estimates in December to balance our books,” he said.
Councillors have now been asked to ratify a 20 cent increase in the price of a parking disc — from €1.80 to €2 — from June.
CBA chief executive, Donal Healy, said traders are furious with the proposed increase.
“Their margins are tight enough as it is. This will make the city uncompetitive and less attractive,” he said.
And he said there are fears about further increases in the longer-term.
“Cork city centre, with 600 retail outlets, is a natural focus for retail activity, and where 30,000 people work in the city,” he said.
“It is imperative that parking costs are competitive and not prohibitive.”
Cork Chamber said the city centre must remain competitive.
“Parking is a major factor in determining whether shoppers come in to the city or go elsewhere and any changes in the pricing structure need to take account of that,” chief executive Conor Healy said.
He also described the parking disc system as “outdated” and “confusing” for visitors.
Investment is crucial to ensure the city has a quality public transport network to give commuters choice, he added.
Mr Buggy said the proposed pricing structure would ensure a quick turnaround of parking spaces, deliver an occupancy rate of 85% — a general international accepted level.
It will also end “cruising” by motorists looking for vacant spaces, and encourage them to use public transport or the multi-storey car parks.
This would ensure that parking spaces are not difficult to find while at the same time ensuring that most are in constant use, he said.
“The city’s economy will perform more efficiently. Drivers will park, carry out their business and leave quickly so that other drivers can use the available spaces thereby making the city a more attractive region for shoppers,” he said.
The income generated by the increased parking charges will be used to fund new transport developments, including new park and ride facilities, and the development of a €7 million Mobility Management Centre which has been proposed to help tackle city gridlock.
* 5,428 cars were clamped, generating an income of €433,445
* 3,331 cars were towed, generating an income of €467,385
* 32,793 parking tickets were issued, generating an income of €1,095,264
* 1,901,097 parking discs were sold, generating just over €3.1 million.
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