Parking charges
Consider introducing parking charges as a tool in managing car parking. The introduction of parking charges can provide valuable revenue stream and help to encourage people to choose other ways to travel but must be handled sensitively. If possible, parking charges should be accompanied by improvements to parking and other facilities and the promotion of alternatives to car use.
Using parking revenue to improve facilities
The revenue raised can be used to subsidise benefits or incentives that encourage people to choose alternatives to driving.
As employers have discovered previously, there is a prevailing feeling that there needs to be some perceived benefit introduced before parking charges can be justified.
Car parking charges can be made more acceptable by improving the car park by installing CCTV and barriers with the first tranche of income.
Combining incentives and disincentives
Together, financial incentives and disincentives offer strong encouragements to shift away from single occupancy vehicle usage but must be implemented in the right combination. Car park charging should therefore always be supported by the provision of an alternative, such as a car share scheme.
Charging patterns that encourage alternative choices
You should also consider how and when you charge. Charging on an annual basis highlights the total charge, but once they have paid, drivers may not be deterred from bringing their vehicles to site. A daily charge will constantly remind drivers of the costs but can be expensive to administer.
