Talks ongoing on parking meters outside of schools

THOUGH the parking meter system took effect from Tuesday in parts of Georgetown, there is still no definitive action regarding the placement of meters in front of schools.

This newspaper reported last week that that President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, announced that the union does not and will not support any adjustment to the parking meter fee for teachers. The rate announced is $50 for 15 minutes and is expected to take effect from January 23. What this means is that teachers will be required to pay approximately $1,250 per day or $25,000 per month for parking, since the meters have been installed around some schools in Georgetown.

Following the complaints officials of Smart City Solutions decided to meet with the GTU, however, according to the company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kit Nascimento, they are still undecided about the issue but, intend to collectively purse a solution.

It was reported that as it relates to concerns raised by the GTU, the company pointed out that special arrangements such as parking permits for teachers and specific parking regulations in school areas are, in fact, consistent with international practice.

“In the case raised by the Teachers Union, SCS stands ready to examine a customised solution, as has been done with other organisations and institutions with whom SCS have been engaged.”

According to the statement, “We should point out that, at present, given the unregulated parking in the city; teachers have no choice but to compete with all other motorists searching for space to park even in front of their own schools. SCS is willing to consider, for instance, granting parking permits on application for spaces exclusive to teachers during prescribed times which would regulate those spaces on behalf of the permit holders, thus guaranteeing them preferential access to parking in proximity to their schools.”

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1 thought on “Talks ongoing on parking meters outside of schools”

  1. I don’t agree with placing parking meters on the street in front of schools, as this will be a distraction and a deterrence for the teachers performing an outstanding job in focusing on their teaching profession.
    If the council is determine in the placement of these meters there, then accommodations such as specifying allotted parking for specified schools should be placed on signs and those teachers for the schools must be given a sticker to display in their cars to avoid tickets.
    A simpler solution is not to place the meters in school zones. Target the business areas rather than the educational areas.
    Betsy

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