Parking pixies explain meters' quirks

The second city council initiative to soothe Palmerston North shoppers' annoyance with the parking regime has started this week, with five of six parking pixies taken on to help people feed the meters correctly.

The deployment of the pixies before Christmas follows an earlier dispensation that gave parkers an extra five minutes' grace to get money into the meter after parking, and to get back to their car once their time was up.

The pixies, bedecked in festive gear, are carrying bags of information, application forms for waivers and mobility parks, and lollies, but no cash.

Acting head of parking services Michelle Wolfsbauer said people still had to pay for their parking, but the pixies would be on the lookout to help anyone who was having trouble, and reassure those who were already doing the right thing.

Meantime, the council has agreed to consider a raft of complaints and suggestions from a deputation that presented a 2000-strong petition to its finance and performance committee this week.

A working group of councillors and staff has been set up to review the issues raised and recommend improvements after it meets in the new year.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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