SINCE their appearance in the streets of Georgetown last December, there has been much

uncertainty surrounding the parking meters and their mode of operation.
In response to this, Smart City Solutions, the company contracted to conduct the parking meter project, has stationed demonstration officers at some of the locations of these meters to explain to potential users how the system will work.

Explaining how to use the system, Demonstration Officer Clinton Walkes noted that drivers must first be in possession of a “parking card,” which can be purchased from the Smart City Solutions Office, or other vendors such as gas stations and supermarkets.
“These cards will be rechargeable and can be purchased with balances of $500, $2500, $5000 and $10000,” Walkes said.
He highlighted that when drivers purchase or recharge with $5000, they will receive one hour free parking time, while they will receive two and a half hours parking time for purchasing $10000.

These cards will be available for purchase this week, according to the demonstration officer, as the parking meter system becomes operational from January 23.
Clinton also explained that in addition to having this card, drivers must also be cognisant of the various markings on the roadways allocated as parking spaces.
These markings, he said, are accompanied by a combination of numerals.
At the meter, Walkes showed that there is a panel explaining the process of using this meter.
He said drivers must first press the green button and enter the numbers for the parking space and confirm with another press of the green button. Then, they must select the amount of time that they require (maximum time being six hours) and present the card in front of the sensor. Thereafter, a ticket will be printed for the driver.

Walkes cautioned: “You must take this ticket and place it in a visible manner on your vehicle’s dashboard.”
He also warned that failure to comply will result in a transit officer “booting” the vehicle, which in other words means placing a lock on the vehicle’s wheel.
A “grace time” of two hours will be given, whereby users can come and pay for the time they were parked, if not, vehicles will be towed away.

These transit officers, he mentioned also, will be stationed at all locations to ensure security of the vehicles and the meters and to ensure that users comply with the system.
Another demonstration officer, Denzel Beckles, noted that both Smart City Solutions and the City Council are currently looking at attaching a fine for misdemeanours.
Drivers will pay for parking from Monday to Saturday only, between 07:00 hrs – 19: 00 hrs and will be required to pay $50 for every 15 minutes or $200 for every hour in the designated areas of Georgetown.