It’s been a while since e-cars were able to park for free in Linz’s short-term parking zones. As reported, the pilot project was history on September 1, 2019 – since then, e-car drivers have had to buy a parking ticket again.
Such a parking ticket was not necessary for a short time only if the e-car was parked in the short-term parking zone only for charging. At the end of 2020, however, the Administrative Court decided, explicitly also for Linz, that in the case of e-charging stations located in a short-term parking zone that is subject to a fee, the parking fee must be paid in addition to the charging fee. If the parking ticket is missing, there is a risk of a fine. Since this year, this regulation has been more closely monitored in Linz.
VP municipal councilor Michael Rosenmayr sees a need for action here: Deputy Mayor Tina Blöchl (SP), who is responsible for parking space management, is required to take action. “Electromobility is currently being promoted. It is therefore imperative to find a pragmatic and citizen-friendly solution,” says Rosenmayr, who submitted a corresponding application at the municipal council meeting on November 3rd.
One approach would be a flat-rate billing of the short-term parking zone fee with the charging fee. The idea is that this adjusted charging fee should include the fact that no additional parking fee has to be paid during the charging process. A solution based on the example of Vienna would also be conceivable. Due to a special regulation in some areas, no short-term parking zone fee is to be paid there during the charging process.
A new regulation of the short-term parking zone requirements would also affect the magistrate employees, argues Rosenmayr. For example, certain employees are allowed to stand still in the loading zones during field work (e.g. for measurements) thanks to special permits, but parking fees still have to be paid. Management is done from the left to the right pocket: “Here, too, simplifications are urgently needed.”
Source: Nachrichten