Parking in Wellington - Paymypark under-crediting

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rscole86

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Topic # 205841 29-Nov-2016 12:33

So I have been using PayMyPark for a few months now, but only just recently noticed that they have implemented a minimum charge for using the app.

So in zone W17 you can park for 15 minutes, your charge is displayed as $0.75, but they charge you $1.00.

In Zone W23 you can park for 15 minutes, your charge is displayed as $0.38, but they charge you $1.00.

I have contacted WCC who said not their problem and I need to contact PayMyPark, PayMyPark have advised me that 1 month ago they introduced minimum parking charges of $1 at the direction of WCC, so as to align with their other parking solutions. However they have implemented this minimum charge of $1 without notifying users, and without crediting the user with the appropriate time. Eg you pay $1 but can still only park for 15 minutes. From memory this is not the case when you pay at the roadside machines.

Can anyone confirm for me if paying with coins at the machines also have a minimum $1 fee? as I have not paid in cash for a very long time, as up until recently I normally need to park for more than 15 minutes.

I realise that WCC have a terrible reputation when it comes to their parking infringements and wardens etc, (however were really good to deal with at one point via the kiwibiker forums) but I would have thought that using a mobile payment solution that requires no physical up keep of machines on the street, their security, or cash collection would save them money allowing users to park for the time they require?

sbiddle

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Reply # 1679418 29-Nov-2016 12:57

The $1 minimum fee at the meter was introduced a couple of years ago to combat taxi drivers who would simply put 20c in to legally park in car parks while actually waiting for a fare.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1679420 29-Nov-2016 13:00

That would rip my shorts if they introduced that to the equivalent app used here in PN (FrogParking): to me this is one of the significant advantages of paying via this means, as I'm charged to the nearest minute. Rounding to $1 would be funny as well, given that's two hours parking in some spots!

Bung

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Reply # 1679424 29-Nov-2016 13:08

sbiddle:
The $1 minimum fee at the meter was introduced a couple of years ago to combat taxi drivers who would simply put 20c in to legally park in car parks while actually waiting for a fare.

It wasn't so much as legally park as caught with no ticket $40 fine, caught with expired ticket $12 fine.

Edit The Council website still says pay only for time used. I rang Council in early days to ask about minimum charges as i found it very convenient to pay for 1hr and with that ticket do several stops around town. These stops were usually just over the 6min grace period WCC give and my luck with wardens wasn't much good. A $1 minimum could double the cost. I was told that it would be by the minute. That was early days and it may have changed.

rscole86

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Reply # 1679427 29-Nov-2016 13:11

sbiddle:

The $1 minimum fee at the meter was introduced a couple of years ago to combat taxi drivers who would simply put 20c in to legally park in car parks while actually waiting for a fare.

Thanks, I knew there was the minimum for non-cash, but as I do not carry cash I have not tried to pay the minimum in 10c coins before.

I just heard back from PayMyPark, who are working on getting their app to respond the same way as the machines do, which I assume is $1 minimum but you are credited for the equivalent amount of time.

In the mean time PayMyPark confirmed WCC are just creaming the extra off the top at the moment.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1679445 29-Nov-2016 13:41

DOn't you need to go back to WCC and say that the parking company told you that they had been directed by them to charge this? It sounds like they are fobbing you off on to one another. Things like mobile paying by apps and txt should make it cheaper, and if they actually made it cheaper, more people would use them. It remind me of the days when banks used to charge to use online banking! But thankfully they saw sense and dropped fees for that. (At least my bank did)

rscole86

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Reply # 1679451 29-Nov-2016 13:44

I have cc'd in WCC via the only email I am aware off, so they are been copied into the email chain. I am yet to get a reply. I have also approached them via twitter, no response, and the first phone call they told me to contact PayMyPark.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1679457 29-Nov-2016 13:53

rscole86:

I have cc'd in WCC via the only email I am aware off, so they are been copied into the email chain. I am yet to get a reply. I have also approached them via twitter, no response, and the first phone call they told me to contact PayMyPark.

In my dealings with other councils, unless you direct questions to them directly, they may not reply to CC's. You may find they treat questions as a LGOIMA request, or you may want to ask that it is, so you can get it answered properly.

rscole86

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Reply # 1693778 22-Dec-2016 12:51

Well it has been over 3 weeks since I was told both via Twitter and an email from the parking services team that a manager would get back to me, and nothing.

Zeon

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Reply # 1693850 22-Dec-2016 14:02

Parking buildings are so much easier - just pay for what you use. I wonder is there anything where you can register your card to a park and it just charges you based on when you literally drive off?

rscole86

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Reply # 1693853 22-Dec-2016 14:09

Parking buildings are becoming rare in Wellington ;) But the paymypark allows you to pay for what you use, ie just hit start and stop when you leave. Or you can use the SmartPark device as well.