City to clamp down on illegal parking at Gautrain station

06-03-2015
 

Gautrain commuters who park their vehicles illegally outside the Midrand Station have been given until Monday March 9 to make amends or face stiff fines for contravening public open spaces bylaws.

 

Johannesburg Region A Director Abigail Ndlovu says over the past year there has been a steady increase in the number of vehicles parking illegally outside the station.

 

“The area in front of the Gautrain station is a provincial road reserve and parking in this area is prohibited. Taxi operators, some legal and some not, have also taken to parking in restricted areas around the station,” Ndlovu says.

 

The management of both the City of Joburg and Gautrain have since February 24 been putting flyers on the windscreens of illegally parked vehicles, making public announcements on the train itself, speaking on community radio stations and having articles published in community newspapers to educate commuters about the bylaws.

 

This was one of the resolutions taken at a meeting of the Midrand chapter of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Midrand CBD Stakeholder Forum at Gallagher Estate on February 3.

 

Gautrain spokesperson Barbara Jensen says there is sufficient parking available in the station’s designated parking area. For some reason, however, commuters choose not to use this area.

 

“It is important to note that Gautrain provides a comprehensive bus service through the Midrand CBD and surrounding areas. Users can use the Gautrain bus service and park their vehicles in a safe and risk-free environment. For detailed information on the bus routes, commuters can visit the website www.gautrain.co.za,” says Jensen. 

 

Ndlovu says it is up to motorists to heed the message or face the consequences.

“Everyone needs to respect the rule of law. When people don’t follow the rules, anarchy follows and we can’t have that in our region.

 

“If the above measures do not prove successful, the City’s law enforcement agencies will from March 9 have no alternative but to fine and tow the vehicles to the municipal pound. Vehicles will be towed and impounded at owner’s cost.”