Several drivers have expressed dissatisfaction due to the lack of clear information about free parking in certain areas outside the summer season in Figueira da Foz. According to notice no. 258/2024, published by the City Hall on July 10, 2024 and cited by , the charge in these locations is valid exclusively between June 15th and September 15th. However, many drivers continue to pay for parking even when it is free.
Parking zones with specific billing periods
The areas covered by this measure include Avenida 25 de Abril (190 spaces), Avenida de Espanha (626 spaces for light vehicles and 96 for heavy vehicles) and the area in front of the campsite (61 spaces). However, many users continue to pay outside the stipulated period because they are not aware of the exemption.
“I’ve only been in the city for a few months and I had no idea that sometimes you get paid, sometimes you don’t… If I see that the machine works, what will I think? What do you have to pay for, right?”, said Fernanda Brandão to the same source, who only realized that parking was free after having already put coins in the parking meter. The lack of information led her to feel “cheated” and feels that there should have been clearer warnings. “Either the machine shouldn’t be working when it’s not time to pay or there should be a warning there,” he added to Diário de Coimbra.
Confusion about the signage and operation of parking meters
Tiago Ribeiro, resident of Leiria and frequent visitor to these areas, reported a similar experience. “I have a habit of having a coffee when I arrive and, even though it was only for a few moments, I always paid for parking in the avenue area. [25 de Abril]. It was only when I crossed paths with a colleague that he warned me that there is no payment in winter”, he revealed to the same source, expressing his feeling of “frustration”.
Although there are vertical signs at the beginning of the covered areas, indicating that the charge is only valid during the bathing season, some drivers say they do not notice their presence. The sign located in front of the Vila Galé Collection hotel, for example, was described as “barely noticeable”. Furthermore, the parking meters in these areas do not contain any additional information about the exemption during the low season, which contributes to user confusion.
A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he frequently warns drivers about the absence of charges outside the summer season. “It’s not important to inform people, because it’s a way for them to continue filling their pockets”, he commented to the same source.
Fernanda and Tiago confirmed that they did not present formal complaints to Dornier Portugal, SA, the concessionaire responsible for the parking meters, but decided to share the case through Diário de Coimbra as a way of alerting other drivers. The same source finally says that “despite several attempts to contact our newspaper, it was not possible to obtain a response from the dealership by the time this edition was published.”
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