[imagesource: Courtney Africa / African News Agency (ANA)]

Your days of finding ample parking in Cape Town, without having to pay for the privilege, are numbered.

You had a good run. Focus on those memories.

Earlier in the week, the City of Cape Town sent out a media release advising “business owners, commuters, and residents that the management of on-street parking bays in the Cape Town central business district, Sea Point, Claremont, Newlands and Bellville should commence by November 2021, if all goes as planned.”

When does all ever go as planned?

The City explained that it relies on specialist contractors for these services, and during COVID-19 times there was little interest from the private sector when requests for quotations were advertised.

However, it is now likely that a new contractor should be appointed by the end of September 2021:

Given the complexities associated with the management of parking bays the contractor will need time to procure the equipment, and appoint and train personnel.

As such, the management of parking in these areas may only proceed by the end of November 2021. If there are no unforeseen challenges or delays parking marshals should be on duty in these areas before the festive season starts.

Ummm, yay?

I do rather enjoy the fact that these parking marshalls usually have SnapScan or something similar, rendering the ‘I don’t have any money on me’ argument obsolete.

Another added benefit of parking marshalls returning is watching people in town stealthily hop into their Range Rovers (costing in excess of R1 million) in the hopes of zooming off before being forced to pay their R15 parking cost.

Enjoy your final few weeks of free parking.

[source:capetowngov]