Employees of Smart City Solutions on Tuesday demonstrated how parking meters proposed for the city would work if the highly controversial deal comes to fruition.
The demonstration, done in the presence of the Mayor and City Councillors, City Hall staff and others, saw the unveiling of the type of parking meter that would be placed around the city.
A solar-powered meter will be installed in the City Hall compound as a part of a test run.
During the demonstration, which was provided by employees of Smart City Solutions, it was stated that persons can purchase cards, which would contain minutes, from vendors and the company’s offices that would be set up across the city.
Stabroek News learnt that the company would be taking the parking meters around the city for demonstrations. Public demonstration were done in the vicinity of the Guyana Post Office building on Thursday and near the Bourda Market on Friday.
According to Tiffany Porter, one of the employees, the eco-friendly parking meter is simple and easy to use. She explained that a person would first enter the digits of their number plate, then would be asked to enter the estimated time they would spend conducting business, after which they would have to swipe their cards. Once the transaction is complete, they would receive a receipt to place on the dashboard of their vehicle. No cash would be accepted by the machine as every transaction would be done electronically.
During the demonstration, it was also stated that persons can use an app designed by the company to buy additional time if they are still conducting business. However, it was stated that if a person spends less than the time bought, there would be no refund.
Smart City Solutions and National Parking Systems (NPS) are to be responsible for the installation of the meters. Chairman of NPS Ifa Kamau Cush, who was present at the demonstration, disclosed that although the meter is solar-powered, it is equipped with a back-up battery which would enable it to work during cloudy and rainy days.
Cush rebuffed suggestions of the rate being $500 per hour. He stressed that while they have not set a rate, he is certain that the rates per hour would be less than $500 per hour.
The meters would operate from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7 pm in the commercial district of the city.
The project has divided the city council, which inked the deal last year.
Councillors who were elected in March this year say they have not had access to the contract and have raised questions about the companies and returns that would go to the city, among other things.
The situation has seen central government stepping in to review the contract, although the council seems to be pushing ahead to have the project on stream by its originally announced September 1 start date.
