Parking at the signal box in Sigmaringen: Fees lead to lower utilization

Parking at the signal box in Sigmaringen: Fees lead to lower utilization

new parking lot fees in Sigmaringen provide discussions

Since January, drivers who want to use the parking lot at the signal box in Sigmaringen have had to pay a fee. The introduction of these parking fees has shown visible effects: Where the parking lot was previously filled to the last place every day, there are now only a few cars on the area.

The response to the new parking fees is not as high as hoped. Oliver Dreher, head of the central processes, has reacted and now advertises with signs for the low costs: "A maximum of two euros a day" can be read on the posters. Dreher describes this as a first step to make the parking space more attractive.

new strategy shows slight effects

Although the response has not met expectations since January, the utilization of the parking lot has improved slightly. According to the Dreher, 1200 vehicles parked on the site in June, which corresponds to an average of 40 cars a day - many of them only for a few hours. Despite this increase compared to February, when only 800 cars used the space, the utilization is still far from the earlier situation.

A special goal is to draw drivers from outside to the parking lot. So far, tourists in particular have used the place because there is no barrier, but cameras record the license plates. This enables the municipal utilities to analyze and control the use of the parking lot more precisely.

commuter, who previously used the free parking lot, now switch to the new area at the train station. The additional income from the parking fees is to be used to renovate the Parkhaus Prinzengarten, which causes an estimated costs of around two million euros as well as annual interest and depreciation of 180,000 euros

Future of the Prinzengarten car park remains uncertain

In addition to the new parking fees at the signal box, the fees in the Prinzengarten car park in January have also increased. The occupancy of the parking garage has not worsened, but the exact annual proceeds from the increased fees still remain unclear.

The planned renovation of the Prinzengarten car park is scheduled to take place between April and December next year, but is subject to a financing reservation. The final decision is made in September. Until then, it will be shown how the new parking fees will affect the parking situation in Sigmaringen.

- Nag