Mixed reaction- parking fees in city center
Hello good A.M. QLers, i just read the gulf times today concerning the above subject and i'm surprised to see my comments last week.pl's find part of the news article below.
"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."
thank you and will continue contributing the qatar living -the best.
I've found that it is now much easier to get a parking spot straight away, along with getting in and out of the place. I did read that some shops will validate tickets so you can park for free. Even at 2 - 8R that is still so much cheaper to park then where I come from in London.I am told that before people were parking at CC for free and getting a cheap cab to the airport. (dont know if thats true but there is an improvement)
The queue OUTSIDE to get in is a REAL problem - the more observant of you will have noticed that at peak times, the "queue" (not really a queue, more a herd of cars jockeying for position) stretches out into the 4 line highway and takes up 3 of the lanes!!!! As i said previously, NOT THOUGHT THROUGH!!!!!!!
stayed for half an hr in the que to get in and then another 20 mins to find parking and then the vendor machine at exit (from 1st floor parking) was not working properly.Long que of cars along the ramp...
Be clear, irrespective of falling numbers inside the mall, to think that the management of CC will do a U turn is inconceivable - they will just ride the storm and wait til the peole get over their spit the dummy "issues" and start returnng. If people are voting with their feet then so be it - the management of CC made a business decision that they felt was in the best interests of the mall and the shoppers - it was clearly a misconceived idea and not properly thought through - there have been many alternative proposals put forward on various threads by members of QL to get over the parking problems brought about by nearby company employees - if we could think of them, why couldnt they?? Truth is CC management chose to take the easy, not thought through, not joined up option (they are not alone in Qatar in being guilty in this respect).
I favor CC decision to charge parking fees. Before its implementation a lot of vehicles parked in there were non-customers making it very difficult to genuine patrons to get a parking spot.The "receipt validation scheme" just makes it better. Offering customers a lower parking fee because of their business.
There are plenty of malls that don't charge for parking. Plenty of other cinemas, plenty of shops. So it isn't as though people have no choice to go to City Center if they want to do some shopping.I don't see what the big deal is. If you don't want to pay then as Cherrukan points out, go to one of the other big malls. They have invested so much money installing all the paid parking infrastructure it's almost impossible to think that they will now change their minds and stop charging.
I agree with most here... I visited recently and was surprised. most of the cash counters were either empty or with no cashier, while other malls like lulu had extra staff and long ques.
charging fee for parking is fine, but i guess it should come with some policy like free for customers and may be some sort of membership that will allow easy entry and exit by just showing the cards (proximity cards)
also,the management should waive the parking fee if the costumer show the satmp receipt with a minimum amount and specially those who watch movies.
when people have other option why should go to City center? it should be free of charge service to the consumers.
It is closer to Eid and City Centre seems empty including Carrefour. You should be waiting in line to get in and get out. I have lots of other options like the Lulus, Villagio and Landmark for same shopping. Why should I pay extra and wait in line for parking?
Its evident customers are now avoiding city centre because of the parking charges. Parking charges should be waived for purchases and customers visiting cinema
Whoever behind this new system, im sure it's a brilliant idea to earn easy money. Parking areas in all shopping malls should be free of charge, unless it is a private parking business lot/ area.
I went to the customer service counter and get them stamped my parking ticket and the receipt. I don't have to pay anything for the fees. But not sure about the minimum amount you have to shop and get the parking fees waived
Parking should be a free of charge service to the consumers.