- Transport Minister reveals proposals to increase prices ‘way above inflation’ in an attempt to ‘change behaviours’.
- The move comes after government falls short of traffic-reduction target set in 2010.
PARKING prices will increase ‘way above inflation’ if the States adopt a tough new strategy being proposed by the Transport Minister to force Islanders out of their cars and onto the bus.
Five years ago the government set targets in the Sustainable Transport Policy to cut the level of commuter traffic by 15 per cent by this year – but has only achieved a four per cent reduction.
Last week Environment Minister Steve Luce blamed the shortfall on cheap parking costs and an abundance of car parks.
And now Deputy Eddie Noel has confirmed that proposals are in place to increase the price of parking ‘way above inflation’ in an attempt to make Islanders change their commuting habits.
The minister, who would not put an exact figure on any future rise, added that for the past five years, since the introduction of the Sustainable Transport Policy, a ‘carrot’ method had been used to coax the population onto public transport. But that had not been enough and it was now time to utilise the ‘stick’.
Currently, it costs 76p per hour to park in Jersey, meaning Islanders will spend, on average, more than £30 to cover the cost of parking for a working week.
In comparison, parking prices in the UK vary from around £2 to £30 a day and in Guernsey it remains free.
According to a recent JEP poll more than 60 per cent of people said that parking in Jersey was already too expensive and a further 27 per cent said it was currently set at the right price.
Deputy Noel added that when the Sustainable Transport Policy was first passed in 2010, by 43 votes to five, plans were included to increase parking charges substantially. However, they were later amended to give the Transport Department time to improve the bus service.
43 – 5: how the States voted in favour of introducing the policy in 2010
£500,000: the policy’s budget per year
£3.5 million: the amount the States give Liberty Bus per year
£635,000: the amount set aside for sustainable transport infrastructure improvements
1,800: the policy’s goal was to reduce Islanders who commute by car by 1,800 by this year – that target has not been met
14%: The increase in bus usage since 2010 – 11% of that has been in the last 12 months
‘But if we are going to get the 15 per cent reduction we set in 2010 we have to start using the stick.’
Deputy Noel could not put an exact timeline on when Islanders can expect the cost of parking to go up but said he would like it to be debated as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan later this year.
Asked if he felt a hike in parking prices would deter people from shopping in St Helier and put businesses under further pressure, Deputy Noel said: ‘It will not affect town, in my opinion. With shoppers it is about people having the right spaces in the right places, it is not about price.’
He added that the bus service would be increased in the summer with the arrival of six more double-decker buses.
ST Helier shopkeepers have criticised the Transport Minister after he announced proposals to significantly increase parking charges.
Deputy Eddie Noel today said that he wants to increase charges ‘way above inflation’ in an effort to force people out of their cars and to take public transport.
It comes days after Environment Minister Steve Luce said that cheap parking and an abundance of car parks had caused a plan to cut car use to fail.
But shopkeepers, whose businesses are coming out of six years of recession, have said that the move could deter people from shopping in town.
David Warr, owner of Cooper and Co coffee merchants, said: ‘I think it could put people off going to town. I would seriously question the timing of this. We are only just coming out of recession and lots of shops are coming under extreme pressure – there could be serious repercussions.
‘I am not even sure if the bus service is capable of absorbing the numbers of people who want to come to town. I can only hope this is an idea and Deputy Noel will speak to retailers about this first.’
Steve Wilkinson, owner of Madhatter Surf Shop, said it was a ‘ridiculous idea’.
He added: ‘I can understand why they want to get more commuters travelling by bus. I am lucky but most other shops in town are really struggling. What they should be doing is offering free parking not charging more for it.
‘I understand why they want to reduce congestion but shops create employment and GST and they should not be punished.’
John Hollie, owner of Seedee Jons, said that the minister was focusing on the wrong area. ‘If they are going to cut the traffic they want to do out of town parking from where people can walk in,’ he said.
‘That would be better than forcing everyone to get the bus in and having to wait without shelter. It would be better for the environment and everyone involved.’
David Cullen of Roulette men’s clothes shop added: ‘I think it’s ludicrous. I don’t think that there’s enough parking spaces in town. I would rather that it was easier for the customer. They got rid of the spaces at Colomberie and when they get rid of the Waterfront car park it will be even worse.
‘I also think that the scratch card system is old-fashioned and out of date. We should look to the UK and Europe to see what solutions they have.’
Daphne East, town centre manager, called for a long-term plan to address traffic levels. ‘I can imagine what the reaction of retailers will be like – they will say there isn’t enough car parking available. What I would say is we need develop a long-term plan rather than a short-term plan. I would rather they didn’t have a knee-jerk reaction as this is something that needs to be discussed strategically,’ she said.
JEP Facebook followers’ reaction to Environment Minister Steve Luce’s claim that parking is too cheap and there are too many car parks:
Anthony Marett: ‘Scrap all permits given to States employees. If ordinary motorists have to walk and pay more, why not everybody?’
Steve O’Driscoll: ‘More park and ride schemes is the only option. If parking goes up then shops will also suffer.’
Zarane Warren: ‘I am a regular visitor to Jersey and it is hopeless to rely on buses as where we stay there is only a bus every two hours, so we have no choice but to use a car. Much better bus services are needed.’
Samantha Gaudin: ‘I don’t begrudge it because I don’t trek into town that often but for people who need to get into and work in town it is expensive.’
Michael Hammer: ‘If they go up I shall just not shop in St Helier anymore. St Helier will eventually die for shoppers.’
Dave Green: ‘Lower bus prices and more of them is the answer. Parking is certainly not cheap.’
Alison Yates: ‘Just came back from UK, Worthing, where they have had to reduce the parking charges as it was killing the town centre shops.’
Lucy Sanderson: ‘How come Guernsey get a reduction in public transport fares but Jersey gets an increase? Ridiculous.’
Dave Morgan: ‘If the Island wants to attract visitors then the prices should stay as they are.’
Jude Tanguy: ‘Shopkeepers are struggling as it is. On-line shopping here I come if you keep increasing costs.’
Robyn Simpson: ‘The bus should be cheaper to encourage people to use it but it’s far too expensive.’
Sean Oz: ‘My solution would be to provide a number of car parks on the outskirts of town where commuters could park all day at a fair price with a free shuttle bus into town.’
