Parking downtown Auckland, close to ferry

**gaspard** · 7th May 2009, 09:34

Hi,

Just received the letter from ARTA about closing "temporary" motorcycle/scooter parking at pier 1 next to the ferry building.

As I use that every day (live on Waiheke) I'm keen to get a new solution.

It says in the letter parking is available in "designated areas of the down town car park"

"The Downtown car park entrance is located on the corner of Lower Hobson and Custom Streets or next to the AMP Centre."

Is this "downtown car park" actually an ACC car park? I was under the impression is is "Wilson parking"

perhaps they've done a deal with Wilson parking?

anyone care to comment about parking in Wilson parking places?

**buellbabe** · 7th May 2009, 12:25

Well I don't know who owns the Downtown carpark but having worked in the Viaduct for quite a few years I can confirm that there is allocated FREE bike parking on the groundlevel of the downtown carpark. From memory there is a cordoned off area in the middle near the entrance...

**Sam I Am** · 7th May 2009, 20:34

Is bike parking that you are talking about the parking in the bit where the car/taxi pick up drop of point is? I use that quit a bit when I go to Waiheke...

I use to park on the whalf just in front of the Waiheke ticket office, but that bit has gone now..

when is it closing.....

**MarkH** · 20th May 2009, 12:16

Originally Posted by gaspard

Is this "downtown car park" actually an ACC car park? I was under the impression is is "Wilson parking"

There is a Wilson parking building not far from the downtown, but the downtown car park is actually an ACC parking building. I have parked there quite a few times - there are places for bikes to park on every level. Just ride in around the barrier and ride out around the barrier - free parking & sheltered too!

**Kill_Bill** · 22nd June 2009, 10:28

For six months I parked my (tiny) scooter in the Princes Wharf carpark, outside my offices near the Hilton.

I parked it in a discreet location, between a bollard and a stair way. Not on any yellow lines, not blocking any actual car parking bays.

I even checked it out with the local Wilson parking attendant, who said it was fine to park there without paying. Every morning we'd even exchange hellos.

Then on 28th May, I got an infringement notice from Parking Enforcement Services - some 3rd party company that drives around issuing notices on behalf of Wilson. I've appealed it once, unsuccessfully, so I'm appealing it again, and writing to Wilson too.

I don't fancy my chances, frankly.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Does anyone know what the legal position is on this? It seems nuts to me. I've started parking in the downtown building across the road. I don't mind the walk, and would have happily parked here from the beginning, but the attendant informed my it was OK to park right outside my office. Which it should be, as I'm on a f**king scooter.

**MarkH** · 22nd June 2009, 11:50

Originally Posted by Kill_Bill

Has anyone had a similar experience? Does anyone know what the legal position is on this? It seems nuts to me. I've started parking in the downtown building across the road. I don't mind the walk, and would have happily parked here from the beginning, but the attendant informed my it was OK to park right outside my office. Which it should be, as I'm on a f**king scooter.

It seems rude that you have had an attendant say it is fine - then someone else comes along and pings you for it. It pisses me off actually when you choose a sensible spot in no one's way that suits you and inconveniences no one else - but some officious twerp comes along and tells you it isn't allowed. Most likely you are not allowed to park where you did and you were lucky that the parking attendant possessed that oh so rare quality - common sense.

How much is the fine? If it is a small amount then it probably isn't worth fighting over. For a larger amount that was a bit too much to shrug off I would keep fighting it - point out that you checked with the attendant on duty and he gave permission to park there. You may have a hard time convincing them though - Wilsons and Tournament parking don't both keep getting featured on Fair Go without a willingness to be right cnuts most of the time!

**Kill_Bill** · 22nd June 2009, 12:05

Originally Posted by MarkH

How much is the fine? If it is a small amount then it probably isn't worth fighting over. For a larger amount that was a bit too much to shrug off I would keep fighting it - point out that you checked with the attendant on duty and he gave permission to park there. You may have a hard time convincing them though - Wilsons and Tournament parking don't both keep getting featured on Fair Go without a willingness to be right cnuts most of the time!

It's only $45. Which I can afford.

And although you can't help despairing... 'but what about the principle', it doesn't count for much to these, as you so correctly put it, CNUTS.

I guess if I can waste a few man hours of their time, it makes it a net loss to them anyway (even if it is to mine also).

**MarkH** · 22nd June 2009, 12:16

Originally Posted by Kill_Bill

It's only $45. Which I can afford.

I guess that still makes it a shitload cheaper than the parking cost for a car - you would spend more than that per week. I guess that I would just pay the $45 and see if I could convince anyone I knew that parked in Wilsons to change where they park. Convince one person (who currently parks every working day there) to stop paying Wilsons and you cost them a couple of thousand a year! If you could convince some people that pay Wilsons to start riding a bike/scooter to work and parking for free in the Downtown carpark then you save these people some money and simultaneously cost Wilsons a nice chunk of dough. It is unlikely that anyone at Wilsons will lose any sleep over it, but it would give you a certain amount of satisfaction.

**Kill_Bill** · 1st July 2009, 12:09

You might be interested to know, that after the 2nd appeal, they scrubbed the parking ticket.

So you only have to moan 'persistently' to get anywhere. But it's worth it for the satisfaction.

**MarkH** · 1st July 2009, 14:52

Originally Posted by Kill_Bill

You might be interested to know, that after the 2nd appeal, they scrubbed the parking ticket.

Well done. It may only have been $45 but it is still a victory and since you were morally in the right, a well deserved one!

**Squiggles** · 1st July 2009, 17:29

Can wilson actually enforce the fine anyway?

**p.dath** · 1st July 2009, 17:59

Have you seen this map on the Auckland City Council web site showing all the motorcycle parts in the CBD?

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auck...motorcycle.asp

**UberRhys** · 2nd July 2009, 12:05

Originally Posted by p.dath

Have you seen this map on the Auckland City Council web site showing all the motorcycle parts in the CBD?

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auck...motorcycle.asp

Thats awesome info, good find.

Wonder if other councils do the same...?