Drive to win back customers

Parking companies have started a price war to win back customers lost to public transport amid tightened budgets.

With Wilson facing an almost 30 per cent loss in customers in the past year, it and Tournament - the other key player in the New Zealand market - have slashed prices.

Wilson has lowered prices at selected inner-city Auckland sites from $20 a day to $9.

Tournament responded by lowering prices at selected sites to $8.

The deals were being advertised by uniformed staff waving placards on street corners, but Wilson stepped up its campaign with the use of a worker in an eagle costume.

Tournament director James Brown said there was always competition between the companies and cutting the price was a good way to win over customers.

He said the recession and abundance of public transport had prompted many drivers to leave their cars at home.

Changes in prices varied depending on the day and location but the cheapest prices would always be on the outskirts of the city, he said.

Wilson general manager Stephan Wuffli said prices had been cut by up to 30 per cent, but would not say whether it was a bid to compete with Tournament.

Wilson had 15 per cent more customers than six months ago but that could be because November and December were prime shopping periods.

Queen St worker Ronald Ivory said he walked to work because both companies "overcharge" but would consider driving if the parking price was consistently lower.

Despite the reductions, Auckland parking is still cheapest on the city fringe, where it costs as little as $4 a day.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY