PARKING METERS in Lisbon’s main streets will be made more secure from vandalism and theft this summer, in a bid to provide a better service to drivers, according to the president of the Empresa Pública Municipal de Estacionamento de Lisboa (EMEL), the municipal parking authority.
The measure, in place from June 22, arises from a contract between EMEL and managing operators. There will be more inspections of equipment and more frequent collections of coins.
The reinforced security will apply to 500 parking meters in the centre of the capital, between Avenida da República and Avenida da Liberdade, including adjacent streets. The president of EMEL, António Monteiro, said that operators were committed to ensuring that meters functioned properly at all times. “If they fail to comply, they will be penalised. But, if they do comply, then they will receive a reward for productivity,” he said.
EMEL is also studying a new form of payment via the Via Verde scheme, introduced last Wednesday. The scheme applies only to periods in which heavy goods vehicles load and unload in various areas of the city.
