Cheaper Late Night And Weekend Parking For CBD

Cheaper late night and weekend parking is to be introduced to two downtown Auckland car parks for six months in a bid to attract more shoppers and visitors to the area and to offer additional choice to commuters along with evening buses, trains and ferries

The move is a joint initiative by Auckland Transport and Heart of the City which will see evening and weekend rates at Victoria Street and Downtown car parks drop from $5.50 an hour to $2.50 an hour up to a maximum of $7.50. Evening rates apply from 5.00pm.

The special rate is designed to attract more visitors and families in the weekend and free up short term on-street parking in the city.

Auckland Transport Parking Operations Manager, Eunan Cleary says: “This is a positive move, designed to assist the city’s retail, hospitality and entertainment industries.

“Aucklanders and visitors want to come to the city and be entertained and stay late. Already there are late night buses, trains and ferry services; a lower parking rate offers people a further travel option.

“Victoria and Downtown car park buildings, are under cover, have CCTV cameras installed and are conveniently placed near entertainment attractions and restaurants,” says Mr Cleary.

Heart of the City business association Alex Swney says, “The great thing about the timing of this campaign is that when the city puts its best foot forward with a great waterfront dining experience, great shows at the Aotea Centre and Vector Arena and many others, and of course the Rugby World Cup 2011 it makes visiting the city much easier.

“It creates another opportunity to return to the city and see how much it has changed,” says Mr Swney.

The new parking rates begin on 13 June and will run until 24 December 2011 and only apply to Victoria Street and Downtown car parks because both buildings can accommodate the extra vehicles anticipated.

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:

To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.

Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel

Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

ENDS

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