The Land Transport Authority-owned operated parking meters - which were installed in various parts of the Apia business district - went into operation this Monday. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talks to members of the public to get their views on what they think about the new revenue-generation system for the L.T.A.

Theresa Coffin, Magiagi, 41

“In my opinion there is nothing we can really do about it. If the Government has issued a new project, we have no choice but to follow through with it. And the new parking meters have actually been very helpful for our customers who run errands in and out because they have more access to the parking in front of the store. However, it would be nice if there were parking meters in the back of the store as well, so we have better access to bring our new stock from containers and the car.”

Palota Fiso, Tuaele, 39

“Often I get to town and have the convenience of parking far away from the shops but now with the parking meters in effect again it has been a lot easier for me to get shopping done. I think the fee is fair, 1 tala for 15 minutes in comparison to the hours people normally park for free because it allows other people to get where they need to be than having to park far away.”

Silivelia Iloilo, Aleipata, 23

“The only thing about the parking meters is that there are still a lot of people who are unaware that the machines are operating. Lately, we have been getting complaints since yesterday from customers, who do their shopping that they have come back to their vehicles and was fined a ticket. Even our boss was not aware of it.”

Oscar Tavita, Vaitele, 20

“I think it is pretty unfair that the Land and Transport Authority fine people their parking spot when we did not have parking meters there before. So instead of parking at the Plaza or the National Bank of Samoa I park behind the Plaza or near the market and walk the rest of the way to get my shopping done.”

Rosa Malaki, Siumu, 49

“For Eveni Carruthers a lot of our customers’ park in our reserved parking at the back of the building. Sometimes the parking is full and our customers have to go elsewhere to park and to have parking meters has made parking accessible for our customers, which to us is a good thing.”