Coastal city plans 100 per cent hike in parking fees

Mombasa, Kenya: Parking fees for private vehicles in Mombasa city are expected to double if proposals in the county's 2014/2015 draft Finance Bill are accepted.

The county has proposed a Sh1,200 and Sh1,000 levy a month on tricycles, also known as tuk tuks, and boda bodas respectively, in a revenue collection plan targeting Sh5.5 billion to finance its Sh12.3 billion budget.

The parking fee will be increased by 100 per cent from the current Sh50, despite criticism from the Mombasa business community, which complains of insecure parking lots, where vehicle vandalism is reported daily.

Reserved parking bays for vehicles of three tonnes and above will go up to Sh90,500 from the current Sh76,800.

Owners of designated parking yards for vehicles weighing between five and 10 tonnes, including lorries and buses will be charged Sh130,000 up from Sh100,800.

Parking bays for vehicles which are above 10 tonnes, like semi-trailers and tractors will be charged Sh150,000 up from Sh129,600.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, Mombasa Chapter has complained about lack of parking space, saying that most slots are reserved.

MIRROR vandals

"We are not opposed to the increase in parking charges but the county should also ensure that all parking bays are secure from vandals.

Motorists have been replacing vehicle side mirrors almost daily after parts are stolen," said Nimish Shah, an official from Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) Mombasa chapter.

Mombasa's draft Finance Bill also proposed hefty fines on the public service vehicles (PSV) found picking or dropping passengers at unauthorised points.

Owners of PSV vehicles found flaunting this rule will be required to pay a fine of Sh10,000, as a way of streamlining the chaotic public transport system in the city.

The county government has also announced plans to introduce cheap county buses to cushion the residents from exorbitant transport charges.

County Transport Executive Abass Mohammed defended the county's decision to raise the parking rates saying the rates had not been reviewed for the last seven years.

He said that it was prudent to adjust the rates, adding that the fees were the cheapest in the country. In February this year, Nairobi County raised the parking fee from Sh140 to Sh300.

Abass said the county would slash charges for vehicles owners who want to pay on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis.

"For the last seven years, parking rates have been Sh50.

Our charges are the lowest, compared to other counties. We have no choice but to increase the rates," said Abass.