Dozens of season ticket holders at the Gouden Leeuw and Groenhoven parking garages in Zuidoost are taking the city of Amsterdam to court. They have been paying tens of euros per month for a parking space for years, and the garages have been free for everyone since 2019. The applicants now want to receive compensation back.
Leo Hart and Herman Morssink are two of around forty season ticket holders at the Gouden Leeuw and Groenhoven parking garages who want to see money from the city of Amsterdam. While they pay 40 euros (in 2019) to 60 euros (now) per month for a place, anyone without a membership can enter for free.
People without a subscription have to drive to the top, but not everyone does, says Morssink. “There’s a sign when you come in if you’re parking for free you have to stand on top of the roof. But then again, who’s going to stand on top of the roof in the water? People would rather have their car in here.” And so they regularly park the car in a place with a ‘reserved’ sign, meaning for people with a membership.
Guaranteed parking space
Season ticket holders pay for a parking guarantee, but that guarantee does not necessarily exist. But they still pay, although this is a ‘free option’ according to the city. Hart: “We pay in part because we want to keep a reservation and because – if we don’t pay – we have no certainty that we can stand here. In fact, we have been in an unequal position under the law here for years.
According to Morssink – whose car is in the Gouden Leeuw – the problem started in 2019. “The renovation of the parking garage was then completed. Then the fences that provided security were removed and could everyone parking for free. At the time “If everyone can enter, of course safety is also involved.
Season ticket holders believe it is unfair that they have been paying for a parking space in the garage for years while visitors have not. That is why they have now called the city.
The plaintiffs are receiving legal assistance from the lawyer Carlo Liefting. “We want them to be able to park for free while they retain their rights (permanent parking space, ed.) and get back what they have paid” wrongly a few years ago. We have sent that desire into the city, but the city just keeps the door closed. So we had no choice but to go to the sub-district court.”
In March, the team leader of the Amsterdam city district Parking Directorate wrote to Hart, Morssink and Liefting:
“You want compensation for the membership fee paid by the season ticket holders. We see no reason for this, as you are free to choose your membership. You can decide for yourself whether the conditions are also applicable depending on the level you pay or whether you make a different choice, for example parking without a subscription in the Gouden Leeuw garagehe
Hart: “We have been fighting for years to make our garage possible. Not only do we pay for nothing here, but there is also pollution. With junk cars, for example. It’s been a semi-workshop.”
Response from the city of Amsterdam:
“Due to the ongoing process, we cannot make any statements about this matter. The parking garages are now nearly 50 years old, but have recently undergone major repairs, there is security, regular cleaning takes place and managers visit daily.
Paid parking will be introduced in this location from October 7, 2024. Residents can then choose a parking permit that allows them to park both on the street and in the garage, and/or subscribe to take out for a guaranteed place in the garage. The residents have already been informed about this’
In March, season ticket holders were told that at the end of this year visitors will have to pay again for the Gouden Leeuw and Groenhoven parking garages. Now the city of Amsterdam says paid parking will be introduced from October 7 for non-season ticket holders. That does not change the fact that Hart, Morssink and dozens of others still want to receive compensation for the past years.
The city and the plaintiffs will appear before a sub-district court judge next Friday, October 4. Hart: “I’m looking forward to it with a lot of confidence. I think we will be protected from all sides.”
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2024-10-01 05:02:56
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