Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Why are we charging for parking? Due to the implementation of paid parking within the Parliamentary Triangle, the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is implementing pay parking in the Parliament House public car park to better manage the growing demand for parking. OPS is committed to offering accessible car parking facilities for the convenience of visitors to Parliament House. The first two-hours parking will be free of charge with subsequent hours charged an incremental rate. Parking on weekends and on public holidays will be free of charge. When will pay parking commence? Pay parking will commence in the Parliament House public car park from Monday 22 December Charges will commence from Monday, 22 December How much will it cost? The first two hours will be free of charge. The following rates will apply after the first two hours: Daily Parking Rates Duration of stay I Rate Entry between 6am and 5pm 0-1 hour Free 1-2 hours Free 2-3 hours $3 3-4 hours $5 4-5 hours $ hours $15 6+ hours $20 Entry between 5pm and 9pm Entry between 5pm and 9pm exit by 8am next day Entry after 9pm Entry after 9pm and exit by 8am next day Other $7 fixed Free Daily maximum $20 charge Lost ticket fee $25 The Schedule of Rates applies on weekdays only. Parking on weekends and on public holidays is free of charge.

2 The Schedule of Rates has been agreed by the Presiding Officers and may be subject to change without notice. Who has to pay? The Parliament House public car park pay parking system includes a two-hour free period. After two-hours, all persons using the Parliament House public car park will be required to pay for parking changes incurred in accordance with the scheduled parking rates (unless specifically exempted from payment). This includes, but is not limited to: Cars I Utilities I Vans I Sport utility vehicles I Campervans I Trailers; Mini bus (up to 12 passengers); Motorcycle I scooter; Taxis; Delivery and service vehicles; Members, Senators and their staff; Staff of Parliamentary Departments; Commonwealth Officers; Visitors, guests, disability permit holders; B Class label holders (government vehicles); Capital Hill Early Childhood Centre (staff, parents and guardians); Contractors and tradespeople; and Others not listed as exempt. While taxis and delivery vehicles are not exempt from parking charges, it is anticipated that they are likely to depart within the free period. Is anyone exempt? All vehicles entering the Parliament House public car park will be required to pay for parking in accordance with the scheduled parking rates unless specifically exempted from payment. These exempt vehicles are: emergency services vehicles (including police, fire brigade/hazmat and ambulance); Parliament House maintenance vehicles; coaches and buses with more than 12 seats; customers who spend $25.00 or more in The Parliament Shop (excluding some ticketed events and lost tickets), can present their ticket for validation at the time of purchase; Armaguard vehicles; and bicycles. Can I seek an exemption?

3 All vehicles entering the Parliament House public car park will be required to pay for parking in accordance with the scheduled parking rates unless specifically exempted from payment. Further exemptions would require Presiding Officer approval. If you believe your private special circumstances may entitle you to be exempt from paying for parking and you wish to put your case forward, please contact the Department of Parliamentary Services, Visitor Services Section on (02) or in the first instance. What type of payment is accepted? The auto payment stations accept credit as well as cash. I lost my ticket, what do I do? Attend an auto pay station and press the lost ticket button. Lost tickets would be charged at the lost ticket rate. Do the pay stations accept AMEX and Diners? VISA and MasterCard cards are accepted. Diners International and AMEX cards are not supported at this time. Is there a surcharge or merchant fee on credit cards? No. Do parking machines provide change? Yes. Cash change is dispensed in the following denominations $5, $10, $20 and $50 and all coin denominations except Sc. If a payment machine runs out of cash change and an IOU is printed, the IOU can be inserted into another payment machine for the balance to be dispensed. Can I get a receipt? Receipts can be obtained at time of payment by selecting the receipt button when paying for parking or immediately after the transaction. Duplicate receipt cannot be provided. How do you use a pay station? Instructions on how to use the pay station are affixed to outside of the machine and can be viewed on the machine's digital display. If you require assistance operating the pay station push the help button for further instructions. If you encounter an issue or fault with the machine, press the intercom button to talk to a system support officer. If a machine is out of order do I still need to pay?

4 Yes. All vehicles entering the Parliament House public car park will be required to pay for parking in accordance with the scheduled parking rates unless specifically exempted from payment. Pay stations are located in the Parliament House public car park. If a pay station is out of order you will be required to pay at one of the other payment stations. Payments can also be by credit card at the exit boom gates. What happens if I pay for parking but there is a hold-up in getting out of the car park? Following payment, parking tickets are validated and a grace period of up to 20 minutes is applied to allow time for you to return to your vehicle and exit the car park. The grace period does not apply on top of the two-hours free (i.e. parking is not free for two-hours and 20 minutes). Is there any free parking in the Parliament House area? Pay parking in the Parliamentary triangle commenced on 1 October The standard Schedule of Rates for car parks in the Parliamentary triangle is $2.50 per hour, $12.00 per day or $57.50 for a five day ticket. The Parliament House public car park is the only public car park in the Parliamentary Triangle with a 2-hours free parking period. Are there height restrictions in the car park? Yes. High vehicle parking is available at the rear of the car park as indicated by signage at the car park entry. Where does the money go? Revenue collected from pay parking will be managed by DPS and support the ongoing maintenance, management and improvement of the system. Who can I complain to? If you wish to make a complaint about pay parking in the Parliament House public car park, please contact the Department of Parliamentary Services, Visitor Services Section on (02) or VisitorServices@aph.gov.au. Why is pay parking at Parliament House different to pay parking elsewhere in the Parliamentary Triangle? Pay parking in the Parliamentary Triangle does not include a period of free parking. To enable a two-hour free parking period in the Parliament House public car park, a different system to that used in the broader Parliamentary Triangle was required. The new parking model will reduce the need for visitors to anticipate the length of their stay or limit their stay to three hours; the maximum period of parking available under previous arrangements. How will the new arrangements affect cyclists?

5 The boom gates being installed are for passenger cars and motor bikes only. Cyclists will not be required to enter via the boom gates. The mountable kerb preceding the boom gates will continue to enable cyclists to enter the car park. How will the new arrangements affect motorbikes? All passenger cars and motor bikes will be subject to the pay parking fee structure. Have there been any changes to accessible and disabled parking? No. The number of accessible parking bays and their current configuration will not change as a result of the introduction of pay parking. Parking will be free for the first two hours, with incremental charges in accordance with the Schedule of Rates applied for longer stays. Will the new arrangements affect Commonwealth vehicle parking? There will be no change to the number of 'Class B' permit parking space in the Parliament House public car park. Charges will apply in accordance with the Schedule of Rates for parking that exceeds the two-hour free period. How will pay parking effect the drop off/pick up arrangements for parents and carers of children who attend the Parliament House Childcare Centre? The existing Permit Zone signage will be removed and replaced with Permit Zone 30- minute drop off/pick up signage. The area will be adjacent to the current Permit Zone and will provide for passenger-side exit to the curb. Under the Schedule of Rates, parents and carers parking in alternative locations within the public car park will be able to do so for up to two hours at no charge. What are the car park rules? The Conditions of Entry are sign posted at the entry to the Parliament House public car park and are available on the Parliament House website at au Drivers on the Parliamentary Precinct are also bound by ACT road rules. Drivers who breach these road rules may be subject to infringements issued by the ACT Police. In particular, drivers must: a. give way to pedestrians; b. keep to the posted speed limit at all times; c. observe all stop signs; d. slow down at speed humps; and e. observe all one-way and give-way signs. Will the car park rules be enforced? The National Capital Authority (NCA) is responsible for the enforcement of breaches of parking regulations within The Parliament House public car park and other nonprivate car parks located within the Parliamentary Triangle.

6 Vehicles that are parked outside of a marked bay may be issued a Parking Infringement Notice. Vehicles parked outside of a marked bay may block other cars in, obstruct a driver's line of sight which could cause an accident, impede an emergency vehicle's path, or block pedestrian access. It is for the safety and consideration of others that people must park only in marked bays. Additionally, Drivers who breach these road rules may be subject to infringements issued by the ACT Police. In particular, drivers must: a. give way to pedestrians; b. keep to the posted speed limit at all times; c. observe all stop signs; d. slow down at speed humps; and e. observe all one-way and give-way signs. What do I do if I receive a parking infringement notice? Parking Infringement notices issued by the NCA are payable directly to the NCA. More information about infringement payments is available on the NCA parking management website. How do I report a fault with a parking machine? To report a fault please contact the Building Maintenance System (BMS) Helpdesk on (02) or dpsmainthelpdesk@aph.gov.au. What happens if I see an incident in the car park? Any damage to the car park, accidental or otherwise, should be reported to the Security Branch on (02) or security@aph.gov.au. Do I need to display the ticket? No, tickets do not need to be displayed in vehicles. Drivers will need to take a parking ticket when entering the car park and pay at the parking station before leaving. Customers who spend $25.00 or more in The Parliament Shop (excluding some ticketed events and lost tickets), can present their ticket for validation at the time of purchase.