Paid car parking going well at Palmerston North Hospital

01/08/2011 | Car Parking Update - August 2011

Paid car parking has been going well at Palmerston North Hospital for almost five months, especially for visitors who can now easily find parks close to the hospital’s main entrance.

Commercial Support Services Group Manager, Jeff Small, said: “Since paid car parking was introduced on 7 March 2011 the new initiative is going well with around 110,200 vehicles coming into the public car parks so far. The layout and management of the site means patients and visitors can readily find a park and there are also more parks closer to the hospital entrances now.

“The majority of staff are using the system with numbers still growing steadily. To date, 154 staff have a dedicated car park, 319 have chosen the reserved car park option, 489 use the standard parking option, 919 have bought ten-trip cards, and 11 have chosen the part-time option.

“With the $20 p/w (dedicated) and $15 p/w (reserved) parking options being the most popular, there are now waiting lists for these. However, there are still ample $10 p/w (standard) parks available.

“Both Wilson Parking and MidCentral District Health Board receive feedback from the public and staff and this is evaluated to improve the system where practicable. Since paid parking was introduced there have been no complaints from the public about not being able to locate a parking space.

“Concerns from residents regarding staff parking habits in their streets are acknowledged and the board expects staff to adhere to the Palmerston North City Council’s by-laws.

“Unfortunately vandalism of the parking equipment has occurred on a number of occasions. Approximately $20,000 has been spent repairing damage caused by vandalism since the beginning of paid car parking. Vandalism is a huge inconvenience to public and staff. Security of the site has been enhanced together with surveillance cameras to identify offenders.

“Revenue from paid parking is meeting expectations and therefore can be invested in health services plus maintain the hospital grounds, roads, and parking facilities. 

 “Staff and visitors are also encouraged to cycle or motorcycle to and from the hospital and these riders are given free access to bike stands or parks; or take a bus with convenient stops outside the hospital’s main entrance on Ruahine Street.”

Paid parking exemptions may apply to: emergency vehicles, courier and delivery vehicles, buses, motorcycles, parents of critically ill children, immediate family of long stay patients (patients staying over three weeks), renal patients who drive themselves to dialysis, patients receiving regular long term treatment, blood donors, volunteers and rural health shuttles. In addition, radiotherapy patients receiving long term regular treatment receive one hour free parking. Each department or ward area has further information about providing exemptions to their patients and visitors.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945