Boom confusion at new mall parking

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna residents were left puzzled last week after the new booms at Knysna Mall charged some customers, despite management announcing that paid parking has not yet officially begun.

Residents took to social media after a shopper reported being charged for parking through the Parket app, raising concerns that the mall had quietly activated a new paid parking system.

The incident triggered questions from locals as the mall has never charged a fee for parking.

"The system is not yet operational and no paid parking has commenced. Testing remains under way, and a formal launch date will be communicated in advance through our official channels," said Damien Lurie, a director of Knysna Mall.

According to Lurie, during an early testing phase on 1 December, a system error resulted in a small number of customers being charged through the Parket app. The shopper, along with four other users who were mistakenly charged, has been refunded.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this test may have caused," said a social media post by the Knysna Mall post.

Why the confusion?

Customers were confused when the mall claimed that only underground parking would be subject to paid rates, but booms were installed in the open-air parking area.

However, Lurie confirms that the Spar on-grade/open-air parking will be free and paid parking will apply only to the undercover parking area once the system is launched.

"Security booms have been installed across all access points as part of the broader infrastructure and security upgrade; this does not alter which areas will be subject to charging," he said, underlining that the new system aims to enhance security, improve management and reduce congestion by improving parking availability.

The expected fee structures

Spar on-grade parking: Free, unlimited parking.

Undercover parking: