– It’s like living in a system world without human discretion. There is an obvious reluctance to use discretion. That’s what Jan Inge Reilstad says, who this week stood like a big question mark next to his car when he saw the bot under the windshield wiper. He had paid for the parking lot. What could be the reason then? The fine of NOK 660 was the punishment he received for a typo. He had simply forgotten to enter the last digit in the registration number on the parking machine. – It shouldn’t be possible, I think, says Reilstad to news. Hope the complaint can engage He was quick to complain. – I don’t like systems thinking, and hope the complaint can engage in bringing out a bad culture at the parking company. They can use their discretion, and allow themselves to issue some fines, says Reilstad. He also clarifies that it is they who make the rules and the system that the parking attendants must follow, which he criticizes. Nevertheless, the complaint to the parking company Apcoa did not reach. He was not supported. “You have paid/registered parking for registration number PR1461, while the car that was parked has registration number PR14611. Unfortunately, payment with the wrong registration number does not provide a basis for waiving the control sanction,” says the reply he received. Jan Inge Reilstad shared this post on Facebook after having the complaint rejected. Photo: Screenshot The parking company: – He has a point Carl-Erik Martinsen, who is director of operations at Apcoa parking, understands that the fine Reilstad received was irritating, and he also understands the criticism. – He has a point when it comes to the “system world”. Our officers search the registration numbers that are parked in an area. In return, they receive confirmation that these vehicles have a valid ticket or permit. Martinsen says that when the wrong registration number was given, the parking attendant will not get confirmation that payment has taken place. He emphasizes that discretion is used on other occasions, when the parking wardens hand out fines. An example of this could be weather conditions that make it difficult to see markings and queues when it comes to payment. – A prerequisite will be that our officers have the opportunity to assess the situation. In the case described here, the officer will not have more information than a possible confirmation of payment, he says. I think the industry has a variable reputation. Even if Reilstad is not upheld in his complaint, he was in any case able to create a commitment when he published the story on Facebook. One of those who supports the criticism against a square vision within digital parking solutions is deputy mayor in Sandnes Pål Morten Borgli (Frp). Borgli himself experienced being fined because he clicked on the wrong parking area. He paid for the parking area on the other side of the road from where he was standing. Pål Morten Borgli receives many messages about parking companies. – If it’s like this in the digital world, that you can’t type a number or a letter wrong, then I have a challenge, and it backfires on the industry itself. He says that he receives several inquiries as a public authority, from people who feel that the parking company does not use common sense. He believes there must be some room for sleight of hand, even if consumers must of course follow the rules.
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