Mixed reaction to parking fees at City Center

The recently introduced parking fees at the City Center, Doha have polarised opinion, as the new initiative has made it easier to find available spaces but added an extra cost to customers’ experiences of the mall.However, City Center director, Amer Sandawi, has re-emphasised his belief that the move was the right decision, saying that although not everyone is happy with the new scheme, more customers are pleased with the ability to find parking spaces and the improved situation.Gulf Times spoke to customers complaining about the expensive parking fees, with many who choose to visit the cinema or restaurants in the mall, having to pay upwards of QR35 after their visit to the shopping centre.But Sandawi explained yesterday that customers choosing to stay in the mall for extended lengths of time to visit the cinema can have their tickets validated at the main information desk, significantly reducing the amount they have to pay.For instance, a five hour visit to the centre would cost QR28 (2+3+3+10+10) without ticket validation, but after visiting the desk and showing a cinema ticket, the charges for the fourth and fifth hours are reduced to QR3, meaning that the overall cost would be halved to QR14.Shoppers who spend QR100 at Carrefour can also get their tickets validated to receive two hours free parking.Sandawi explained that validation machines will be introduced in the coming weeks which will make the process easier for customers, who will be able to get vouchers from Carrefour and also get their tickets validated from the cinema itself.Other stores will be launching validation machines in the future, meaning that customers who spend a certain amount of money during their visit will benefit in terms of the parking fee.Sandawi explained that the main issues arising from the introduction of the system so far have been associated with educating customers about how to use the machines and get their tickets validated.“People are maybe not understanding the system yet, but when it is explained it is fine,” he said, adding “the customers who are coming to the mall now are spending more money and so the tenants are happy as well.”“As our customers, we want to take care of people,” said Sandawi.Whereas many customers have expressed their frustration at the introduction of the charges, others have highlighted the positive results that the new scheme has already produced.Finding a space at what are generally the busiest times of day at the mall is markedly easier, and it is also possible to tell if the car park is full before spending a significant of time circling the area looking for a space. Customers have expressed their support for the new initiative in online forums, and said that they believe the intention to increase the availability of parking spaces for customers is a positive move and should be welcomed.“Before, people complained due to lack of parking, now people complain due to parking fees,” said one comment, adding “in  my opinion, let’s give the administration enough time to establish and we’ll see the difference. I think it’s for our own good.”“What they have achieved is a mall that we can now go to and find a parking space. I think it’s a great move,” said another customer.However, some have been left exasperated by the system, claiming it is too expensive and has led to them opting for other malls in which to do their shopping, eating and cinema-going.Another problem that has been identified with the new system is the traffic caused by cars trying to exit the car park.As customers leave the parking area they are faced with a queue to get to the ticket booths to pay their fees.However, Sandawi wished to point out that customers can pay for their parking fees at machines in the car park which enable them to leave more easily rather than queuing for the cashiers.The mall’s director also confirmed that work on an additional 400 parking spaces will commence after Ramadan, when another 7,000 sqm of retail space will also go under construction, creating space for some 30 additional shops in the next 9-12 months.