ACCC to monitor airport car parking fees

[kpc]

After this discussion: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/new-sydney-airport-pickup-rules-6768.html?highlight=parking+sydney+airport

This comes as welcome news...finally!!

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will monitor car parking costs and revenue at the nation's five major airports, the federal government said today....."I recognise there are genuine public concerns about airports using their monopoly position to exert significant market power and charge higher prices for the various periods of stay - particularly short term stays to drop off and pick up passengers," Mr Albanese said in a statement.....

ACCC to monitor airport car parking fees - Travel - smh.com.au,
Hopefully, the ACCC can do something...:evil:

 

[Mal]

Will this really make a difference? I doubt it, although I wish it would.

 

[simongr]

I thought it was amusing that they bleated about SYD having the highest parking charges in the world. Once T5 at LHR is properly up and running it wil be GBP19 for 4 hours and over - that is A$50-A$60 - wonder how that compares to SYD...

ACCC - A toothless waste of governmental funds...

 

[DTM1]

I agree, but it's not the ACCC's fault - it's the government's fault.

All the ACCC has been asked to do is monitor the prices - so it will. It simply has no power to do anything else - a complete waste of taxpayers' money.

I the govt was fair dinkum about it, it would regulate prices by setting a price cap or formula for increases, but it isn't, so it won't. This govt simply makes noises to try and appear to be doing the right thing (eg petrol enquiry, grocery inquiry, fertiliser inquiry, airport parking etc).

At least with the previous govt, you knew where you stood and it didn't try to con the public with processes that will have the same outcome in any event...

 

[JohnK]

I would like to say it is about time but I would be wasting my time as I think the car parking fees will still be the same, or due for another increase, after the ACCC investigation.

Parking for <2 hours or even <1 hour when seeing someone off or greeting someone at the airport should be free or a very small nominal charge like $5 not >$20. The best option is still the number 400 bus but it is not very convenient with luggage.

 

[dajop]

I would like to say it is about time but I would be wasting my time as I think the car parking fees will still be the same, or due for another increase, after the ACCC investigation.

Parking for <2 hours or even <1 hour when seeing someone off or greeting someone at the airport should be free or a very small nominal charge like $5 not >$20. The best option is still the number 400 bus but it is not very convenient with luggage.

At MEL, the operators have been very careful to maintain 0-20 minutes at $2 (which can extend to 35 minutes with a trip back to car park mid visit!), then $6 for 20-40 mins, $10 for 40-60mins but after they have really paired back time zones (from probably about 8 to 3) and moved to whole day charging for >24 hrs.

[/rant]But there is another pet hate of mine, people parking beside the fwy on the approaches to the airport to save their $2. One day I counted 38 cars parked beside fwy which is just dangerous as people slow down and speed up from gravel tracks beside the fwy. The police should be looking into that. There are 100s of places around MEL one temporarily park for free (eg Gladstone Park shopping centre, plane viewing areas etc) without having to park beside the fwy.[\rant]

 

[Alan in CBR]

But there is another pet hate of mine, people parking beside the fwy on the approaches to the airport to save their $2. One day I counted 38 cars parked beside fwy which is just dangerous as people slow down and speed up from gravel tracks beside the fwy.

One of the few things they have right at Washington Dulles airport is a "Cell Phone Car Park" - a parking lot just outside of the airport where you can park and wait for the person you are picking up to call you to let you know they have arrived. Great idea.

 

[serfty]

JFK and SEA have Cell parks as well.

That's an example of what can happen when an aerodrome is run by a non-profit organisation.

 

[dajop]

One of the few things they have right at Washington Dulles airport is a "Cell Phone Car Park" - a parking lot just outside of the airport where you can park and wait for the person you are picking up to call you to let you know they have arrived. Great idea.

It's called McDonald's free parking with a soft serve cone ..... but that aside ... it wouldn't work at MEL. They've practically done away with places to stop your car to pick up people at the airport converting most of it to bus zones, and patrol the whole lot constantly with grey ghosts. However in the evenings, doing pickups upstairs at departures level is still OK .. but it's only a matter of time .....

 

[oz_mark]

At MEL, the operators have been very careful to maintain 0-20 minutes at $2 (which can extend to 35 minutes with a trip back to car park mid visit!), then $6 for 20-40 mins, $10 for 40-60mins but after they have really paired back time zones (from probably about 8 to 3) and moved to whole day charging for >24 hrs.

As if MEL don't charge enough for parking, they add 2% if you pay be Amex or Diners :shock: