Shopkeepers shut down JK building in protest against rotating parking.
Business owners on Avenida JK protested this Wednesday morning, the 29th, against the rotating parking system in effect in the city since February. With signs and banners, the shopkeepers criticized Mayor Carlos Amastha (PP), city councilors, and the operation of the rotating parking system. Many shops on the avenue have their doors closed. They want a 30-minute grace period for the minimum charge, that charges only apply from 10 am to 16 pm, that the hourly rate be reduced from two to one real, and that charges be lifted on Saturdays. Military Police and the Metropolitan Guard are monitoring the protest. Under pressure, the Palmas City Hall announced changes to the parking system; see what changes.
Tocantins 247 - Business owners on Avenida JK, in the heart of the capital, are protesting this Wednesday morning, the 29th, against the rotating parking system, which has been in effect in the city since February. Many shops have their doors closed on the avenue.
According to information from Conexão Tocantins, around 60 people are participating in the protest. With signs and banners, the shopkeepers are criticizing Mayor Carlos Amastha (PP), city council members, and the operation of the paid parking system.
They want a 30-minute grace period for the minimum charge, a reduction in the hourly rate from two reais to one real, and the elimination of charges on Saturdays. The merchants are also requesting that charges be waived for loading and unloading vehicles, as well as for the elderly and disabled, and that minutes be allowed to be used in other parking spaces. The petitioners further suggest that charges be implemented only between 10 am and 16 pm.
The Military Police and the Metropolitan Guard are monitoring the demonstration. Two groups of protesters took turns at the entrances to JK Avenue, and a disturbance began among the demonstrators. Metropolitan agents arrived at the scene and removed the banners that were on the medians of the Avenue, which provoked a reaction from the protesters. With the start of the disturbance and much discussion, the banners were removed from the truck by the protesters themselves and reattached. The Military Police are monitoring the entire protest. (With information from Conexão Tocantins)
Under pressure, City Hall announces changes to parking.
The Palmas City Hall announced this Wednesday morning, the 29th, changes to the rotating parking system, in effect on the streets of the city center since February. The announcement was made at the same time as a demonstration by shopkeepers who interrupted traffic on JK Avenue, in protest against the system.
The Superintendent of Transportation for the Capital, Marcelo Alves, announced that a fee of R$ 0,50 will be charged for 15 minutes for cars and R$ 0,38 for motorcycles in the Blue Zone, currently in effect in the parking areas on JK Avenue. Currently, cars pay R$ 1 for the minimum 30 minutes and motorcycles R$ 0,75 for the same time. All other fees remain unchanged.
Furthermore, the time allowed for free parking will be 15 minutes. According to the City Hall, there will also be a 120-day exemption from parking fees on Saturdays. Within the same timeframe, the company must add parking meters that will allow payment with bills, coins, or debit and credit cards.
In addition to parking meters, tickets or paper cards corresponding to the regularization of parking spaces will be available for sale at accredited points until June 1st. The system will replace cash payments to parking attendants.
A two-hour bonus is still planned for all users and new registrations via smartphone, as well as a two-hour exemption from loading and unloading fees. Drivers who exceed the free time limit must rectify the situation via the app or with the agents.
The decisions were made after a meeting with council members from the allied base of Mayor Carlos Amastha (PP). The meetings were attended by council members who support the municipal executive administration, as well as the Secretary of Government and Institutional Relations, Adir Gentil, and the Secretary of Economic Development and Employment, Cleide Brandão.
"It is important that this dialogue takes place and that together we find solutions that benefit the population of Palmas," said Amastha.
According to the Secretary of Accessibility, Mobility, Traffic and Transportation (Smamtt), Christian Zini, since its implementation, the biggest question from the population concerns the operation of the system. "The rotating parking system is democratic and discussing improvements is always valid," said Zini, emphasizing that the administration is always open to negotiations that benefit the population.
According to Secretary Cleide Brandão, the business community, despite being in favor, had been questioning the system. "With the proposed changes, we hope everyone will benefit: the public sector, the business community, and, of course, the population," she said.
"We are here to discuss what is best for the people without harming the business community, because we are sensitive to the cause," highlighted councilman José do Lago Folha (PTN).
(Updated at 48:10 PM)