Cough up to park in Westminster !

I'm a bit late on this one...

Westminster will only be able to charge bikes for parking if they do the following: Firstly; improve the facility, i.e. more road space dedicated to bike parking; individual bays; ground anchors or similar. Secondly, they will also have to wait until the current trial of pay-by-phone parking ends to see if it's feasible. This is where you are supposedly able to pay for parking over the phone when you park up. This is the only real way that parking could be paid for without the usual ‘what if someone nicks my ticket/it gets blown off’ arguments.

However, I've tried to use it a few times, as have friends, and it's so long-winded and complicated that it puts people off. Unlike TFL who don't care that the running and administration of the Congestion Charge actually costs far, far more than it brings in fees, Westminster will only decide to implement pay-by-phone parking if it is going to break even at the very least. Given how ineptly it's been set up, I can't see this being approved in the near future.

Fyi: I work for Westminster. TFL makes a profit on the CC on the fines it speedily imposes on people who don’t pay the charge (for whatever reason)

Originally Posted by Bluesteel

Westminster will only decide to implement pay-by-phone parking if it is going to break even at the very least. Given how ineptly it's been set up, I can't see this being approved in the near future.

I do not use mobile phone, should I buy it just to pay for bike parking?? Funny.

And of course paper tickets will be stolen. Maybe they will watch each CCTV camera to eliminate stealing?? Funny.

[Stingo]

Maybe some smart @rse will come up with a ticket machine that has a memory - the traffic warden will be able to access this to see who has/hasn't paid...


1. Park machine.

2. Type in number on vandal proof key pad.

3. Insert requisite coins of the realm.

4. Naff off - job's a good'un.


Or something like that...

Originally Posted by Stingo

1. Park machine. If you can find space

2. Type in number on vandal proof key pad. No such thing they will find a way to break it

3. Insert requisite coins of the realm. Not after the vandals have blocked it

4. Naff off - job's a good'un. Some hope


Or something like that...

My thoughts

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by Stingo

Maybe some smart @rse will come up with a ticket machine that has a memory - the traffic warden will be able to access this to see who has/hasn't paid...


1. Park machine.

2. Type in number on vandal proof key pad.

3. Insert requisite coins of the realm.

4. Naff off - job's a good'un.


Or something like that...

sounds like a plan, especially the naffin off bit!!

I love the way they expect people to pay by phone number now. Why? Fees are so high, and there's only so many pound coins you can jam into a box on a stick that they have to empty the machines a lot!

I once saw a man with a bag and key do the ones that are next to the space. By the time he had done 100 yards he could hardly lift the sack!

[chris8886]

i think we should get a group and knick his bag next time

Another question; do they get a kick-back from the mobile companies for an enforced increase in mobile calls?

[SoulKiss]

Maybe we can just sabotage this.......

Aparently Coventry council started charging bikes the same rate as cars for parking.

What the local guys did was get as many bikers in overnight as they could and filled all the car spaces with a single bike.

When car drivers came to park, only to find a single bike taking up the bay, they just got told "Its costing me the same to park here as it would you so I am entilted to a full bay".

Car owners complained, charging got dropped.

Now if I paid for a £150 season ticket I would expect to always be able to park in Westminster, so surely all it takes is for enough bikes to fill the bays so that the scooter mob on a Monday morning can't park and the complaints would sort things out?

David

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Maybe we can just sabotage this.......

Aparently Coventry council started charging bikes the same rate as cars for parking.

What the local guys did was get as many bikers in overnight as they could and filled all the car spaces with a single bike.

When car drivers came to park, only to find a single bike taking up the bay, they just got told "Its costing me the same to park here as it would you so I am entilted to a full bay".

Car owners complained, charging got dropped.

Now if I paid for a £150 season ticket I would expect to always be able to park in Westminster, so surely all it takes is for enough bikes to fill the bays so that the scooter mob on a Monday morning can't park and the complaints would sort things out?

David

Good idea - tho it would never work in London. Sadly the thieving scroats would have been in overnight and taken all the bikes...