An almost 30-year-old free parking scheme designed to encourage carpooling has been axed by the ACT government because of low uptake.
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Motorists carrying at least two passengers have been able to park all day for free at various locations across Canberra under the government's 3 for Free program.
Introduced in 1991, the incentive has most recently been offered at carparks at Civic pool, in Greenway and Phillip.
But it has now been quietly abandoned, with carpark attendants this week handing out flyers informing drivers that the scheme would cease on June 30 because of "low patronage".
A spokesman for the government's environment, planning and sustainable development directorate confirmed the move, saying the incentive was no longer achieving its original aim of "noticeably reducing parking demand and congestion".
Fewer than 50 people are taking advantage of the scheme on weekdays, less than 10 per cent of the uptake from a decade ago.
"This low usage also meant the scheme was no longer cost effective," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said axing the incentive reflected the government's changed attitude towards transport, which now "focused on providing practical alternatives to driving".
However, he said the government would continue to monitor parking demand in the city and town centres and "adjust supply as needed".
Public servant Doug Courtney was surprised and disappointed to learn the scheme had been scrapped after being handed one of the flyers last week.
Mr Courtney said he parked for free near Civic pool at least four days a week, securing his special coupon early in the morning before dropping his children off at school and then heading back to work.
"It's something that benefits the broader community, and I'm surprised that they didn't do consultation before they got rid of it," he said.
"They have that 'Have Your Say' website - I thought they would have at least had a feature about this before terminating the program."
Mr Courtney estimated that the scheme had saved him about $4000 a year.
"As a taxpayer here in the ACT, the cost of living is always increasing. Having to incur the cost of parking or transport, it just becomes more difficult for those everyday people."
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
