[jetskier]

Originally Posted by SBC

It's a little more than two cents worth but worthy of ranting a bit:

Recently we joined with friends for a cruise on the Mt. Washington on NH’s great lake. We arrived early and secured a boardwalk parking space. I went to the nearest parking kiosk which was not so near, only to be told by other folks that it was out of order. Fortunately there was another just a short 20 feet away however, there was a growing line of folks attempting to use it and some gave up. When my turn came I realized I needed to know the space number where I had parked. I had failed to notice the sign that says you need to know your parking space number (my bad on that one). Back down the boardwalk a few hundred feet then back in line.

When my turn came, I tried three different credit cards multiple times but the machine would not accept any. I even read and re-read directions but to no avail. Now, more than anxious and with a growing audience I took a break and went to my vehicle to retrieve my bag of laundromat quarters. Back in line I was hearing the same frustrations I had experienced being voiced by other honest folk seeking to avoid scrutiny by some parking enforcement person who was sure to arrive after our cruise left the wharf. I deposited many quarters to assure my parking place. Ahh, time to take in the beauty of the lake on a perfect day for this voyage.

Before boarding I inquired at the ticket office regarding anyone who could assist others with the frustrating machine(s) and was told that the city of Laconia was in charge of that. I called the PD and asked for the department or persons for parking. The officer with whom I spoke did not know who the supervisor was for that division or even which department was actually in charge of the parking at Weirs beach. I offered some suggestions to the officer such as providing an attendant to assist during these important times. If someone was there prior to boarding I said, not only could the city realize the revenue from this system but they would have more happy tourists that would return to make NH even greener. The officer said he would pass the message (hope he learns who it is that might listen) but not before he mentioned that he had heard that ‘that new system up there had experienced some problems’.

Much as we may not like to pay for parking that is what helps to maintain certain aspects of the city right of ways. But Laconia, come on now, take a page from others who have instituted this kiosk thing; Dover, Concord, etc. They don’t number their spaces, they set a time limit (think three hour cruise), actually accept credit cards without problems or cash and place the kiosks conveniently (think elderly, special assistance) all to MAKE IT EASY FOR THE CUSTOMER to spend their money, be happy and maybe return to do it again. I would be surprised if the cruise company has not poked the city on this to get them to correct the situation as they will lose money otherwise.

We parked there a couple of weeks back and echo some of your frustrations.

1. The machines should take bills, in addition to coins. Most parking machines do and it would ameliorate the issue of carrying around a pile of change.
2. Other systems use a printed ticket that is placed on the dash of the car. This avoids the issue of needing to have numbered spots and correlating payment with a numbered spot.
3. The credit card system would not work when we were there either.
4. Given that the numbers are there, why not allow people to pay through an app on their phones...that avoids lines all together.

Jetskier