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Parking rates in Cape Town’s CBD are higher than those in Durban or Johannesburg.

The rates in Cape Town CBD are R2.50 for 15 minutes, R5 for 30 minutes and R10 an hour.

In Johannesburg motorists pay R4 for 30 minutes, R8 an hour, and R15 for two hours.

In Durban fees are R2.50 for 30 minutes and R5 for an hour.

Earlier this week the Cape Argus reported that the City of Cape Town wanted to introduce more than 3 300 new parking bays across the city, with after-hours tariffs for parts of the CBD, Claremont and Camps Bay.

The city hopes the extra bays will boost economic activity in those areas and encourage more people to use public transport.

The plan seeks to regulate parking at night and ensure that parking bays are more easily available.

Proposed areas for paid-for after hours parking include Camps Bay, Long Street, Greenmarket Square, Cavendish Square, the jetty parking area in Strand, and Lower Main and Station roads in Observatory.

The plan struck a nerve with businesses and Cape Argus readers, with many dismissing it as “outrageous” and “unfair”.

But Michael Bagraim, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, advised businesses to calm down.

“I don’t think it will drive people away from the city.

“It will be easier to find parking because there’ll be a bigger turnover of parking bays. People won’t be too long in parking bays.”

The city’s new parking plan could be a positive move, Bagraim said.

“Obviously we have to see how it pans out.

“If they are going to charge a flat rate of R10 a night and have some sort of security, then it’s worth it.

“We must look at it carefully and see if it’s sustainable. If it’s not, there’s a problem.”

sibongakonke.mama@inl.co.za

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