Taking 'Park and Tube' users for a ride?
Post categories: Car parking, Transport for London
|10:37 UK time, Friday, 17 September 2010
Artist Mark McGowan dressed as a parking attendant is 'attacked' by a member of the public outside Bethnal Green Tube station
I have had a number of emails, like this one below from Tim, about a rise in charges at London Underground car parks and I'm afraid it's true.
I don't know if you are aware but NCP, who run the station car park at Hounslow West Station on behalf of London Underground, are increasing the car park charge at this major commuting station from £2.50 per day to £4.50 per day effective this weekend.
This increase of some 80% will add almost £500 a year to the costs of a commuter who uses this car park and then the Piccadilly Line to get to and from work in central London.
It is difficult to see how such an increase can be justified and, I suspect, that it will drive many of the current users to find parking spaces in local residential streets causing congestion and frustration for those that live there.
I've just been sent these comments from Transport for London about the charges being raised in its 60 car parks.
London Underground maintains all 60 of its car parks to the highest standards and has 100% CCTV coverage at all sites.
From September, prices will increase at car parks. Charges at our car parks have increased only once in the last five years, and this increase will enable LU to continue investing in improving the Tube for Londoners.
These charges will mean that our car park prices, which have always been much lower than other providers, still compare favourably to those operated by train companies and local authorities.
TfL also made the following points:
- Following the tariff rise, most LU car parks will be priced between £3.50 and £4.50 per day on weekdays, £1.50 on Saturdays and £1 on Sundays.
- Free parking for motorbikes will continue.
- The vast majority of LU car parks are in the outer fare zones - there are none in Zone One. Demand for car park space at most locations continues to increase with the majority of car parks full by 0800hrs on weekdays.
In some cases parking charges will go up by 80% to £4.50 a day.
These are clearly tough times for the transport budget and someone is looking at everything to optimise revenue.
However, for those that Park and Tube it is going to cost an extra £500 a year.
Let me know what you think, or if you are affected.
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.