Getting fined for parking near the station to go to work. Worth disputing?

[Deactivated] on 17/01/2017 - 12:39
Last edited 19/01/2017 - 09:25 by 1 other user

Hey guys just need some advice from anyone that's been in a similar situation.

The designated car parking for my train station fills up very quickly (no spots after 8am) - So I have to park somewhere near there with a 4hr parking being the closest and pretty much the only viable alternative to parking.

I was fined about 2 weeks ago for parking longer than indicated as there were no spots so I parked there. It was $50 so I just decided to cop it on the chin.

Then yesterday the same thing happened - and again, I was fined. Is it worth disputing? I can honestly not park anywhere else otherwise I will most likely be late to work.

I know I can just wake up earlier and get there before they fill up but I'm basically looking for a lazy way out and don't really want to come to work an hour early as I can't do extra work before my designated shift due to the nature of my work.

Im in Melbourne.

Automotive

Comments

  • onetwothreefour on 17/01/2017 - 12:42
    +157

    This has got to be a joke?

    You admit that you parked for longer than what is permitted and you still don't think you should pay the fine?

  • dasher86 on 17/01/2017 - 12:43
    +12

    i thought troll as well.

    but mate cop it on the chin… again. and if you don't learn.. your loss.

  • holdenmg on 17/01/2017 - 12:45
    +5

    I don't see on what grounds you can dispute the second fine other than the rarely successful "lightning shouldn't strike twice"

    Maybe scope out the next nearest Station?

    • uggugg on 18/01/2017 - 21:19
      +4

      Double Jeopardy!!

  • djones145 on 17/01/2017 - 12:47
    +2

    cheaper than city parking, totally worth it dude

    may station parking fills up at 7…. I get there at 6:15…..

  • luffyex2010 on 17/01/2017 - 12:53
    +3

    Disputing? something wrong with your judgement/morale/thinking and it needs checking.

    Its like oops I accidentally drove passed the traffic lights on red BUT there was no car am I wrong?

    Lazy way out? yes don't drive take public transport.

  • John Kimble on 17/01/2017 - 12:56

    On what grounds would you dispute??? I can't think of any based on what you have said…

    Similar situation at my old work where there was a section of road with metered parking that was about $5 all day. Some people used to park there everyday and not pay, risking a fine. They could go for weeks/months and not get a fine and then get two or more fines in a short period of time. Not sure who would be ahead, people who pay everyday vs people who don't pay but risk a fine…but it is the risk you take…just really depends on where the rangers decide to go, right?

    • mskeggs on 17/01/2017 - 14:15
      +17

      OP: Sir, I plead extreme desire to retain my fifty dollars, plus a desire for a lazy way out.
      Judge: Say no more fam, I got you. Case dismissed!

      • Forfiet on 18/01/2017 - 11:49

        Judge bro? cool :)

  • chumlee on 17/01/2017 - 12:57
    +19

    I would fight it with your argument being it’s the constitution, it’s Mabo, it’s justice, it’s law, it’s the vibe, and…no that’s it…it’s the vibe. I rest my case.

    • RockyRaccoon on 18/01/2017 - 18:46
      +1

      Actually looking at the Op's past posts they admit to studying accounting graduating this year, so given they are trained to work out how to avoid taxes, I think your advice would be probably fine (pardon pun)

  • ykwon10 on 17/01/2017 - 13:00
    +3

    Has to be a joke post…

  • k-rokfm on 17/01/2017 - 13:07

    Just take down the signs and then you can park there for as long as you want. Then take a photo of the car parked with no signs and send them off to overturn your fines.

    Simples

  • tsunamisurfer on 17/01/2017 - 13:08
    +9

    This might be outside the box thinking but Wake The F Up earlier.

    • John Kimble on 17/01/2017 - 13:21

      He doesn't want to.

      I know I can just wake up earlier and get there before they fill up but I'm basically looking for a lazy way out and don't really want to come to work an hour early as I can't do extra work before my designated shift due to the nature of my work.

      • k-rokfm on 17/01/2017 - 13:25
        +2

        ride a bike to the train station, walk, run, bus, motorcycle, anything else other than drive lol. or park further away

      • sparkles on 17/01/2017 - 13:28
        +1

        Then he should get used to the fines. The lazy way out obviously costs money. Get up earlier or walk further from somewhere you can park legally.

        Anyway, no spots after 8am sounds pretty good, if there are no parks after 6.30am then you could have reason to sook.

      • onetwothreefour on 17/01/2017 - 13:30
        +4

        If he's getting to the station after 8am he's already having a good lie in anyway.

  • chumlee on 17/01/2017 - 13:23
    +3

    Just put different plates on your car.

    • mskeggs on 17/01/2017 - 14:17
      +1

      Go on the run? No chance they will catch you if you go into hiding over a $50 parking fine.
      Bonus, don't need to go to work or park near the station again!

    • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2017 - 14:29
      -6

      I might try this, thanks!

  • John Kimble on 17/01/2017 - 13:23
    +3

    Can you not park a few more streets further away where there are no time restrictions? Theoretically only add another 5 or 10 minutes of walking and is good for you anyway.

  • Gronk on 17/01/2017 - 13:38
    +2

    Low quality bait….

    • mskeggs on 17/01/2017 - 14:17
      +1

      You've got to hope so, for the good of the nation.

  • Baysew on 17/01/2017 - 13:40
    +3

    Which train station is this?

    • lgacb08 on 19/01/2017 - 19:49

      Guess it's watergardens, hard to find park on the shopping centre side, they recently put 4h limit on the car park

  • try2bhelpful on 17/01/2017 - 14:08

    maybe look at a station that is more a hub, you might get an express train as well.

  • Ughhh on 17/01/2017 - 14:17
    +1

    Lol I think op thinks that it's the council's job to ensure op can find a park at his convenience….

  • Mikinoz on 17/01/2017 - 14:28

    I think we are looking at this from the incorrect perspective its the train stations fault, why don't you fine them?

  • Olokun on 17/01/2017 - 14:39
    +10

    I'm basically looking for a lazy way out

    The lazy way would be to cop the $50 fine and either pay it or ignore it until the sheriff comes knocking.

    The adult options are:

    • Get to the station earlier
    • Find a new station or location to park
    • Find alternative transport to the station/work
    • Find a new job which you can get to easier
    • Move house to be in a better location
    • HeWhoKnows on 18/01/2017 - 09:35

      All good options except for waiting for the sheriff. They will cancel your license or registration first! Not a good option.

      • Euphemistic on 18/01/2017 - 12:45

        Yes, but that would truly be the lazy way.

  • nomoneynoproblems on 17/01/2017 - 14:52
    +17

    Hey guys so I always run a red light on the way to work, I need to get to work on time and I'm in a hurry I don't have time to wait so I run it. I don't want to get up early cos im lazy. Anyways I got fined not long ago and paid it but I've been doing it for a week since and keep getting fined. Is there a way out of this? Why do I keep getting fined?

    • holdenmg on 17/01/2017 - 15:22
      +7

      Can't you give the OP a lift to work so they don't have to park and get fined? lol

    • HeWhoKnows on 18/01/2017 - 09:37
      -4

      Are you by chance related to the poster or seeking similar advice?

    • kolorijo on 18/01/2017 - 20:46

      because you have no money problems

  • rambutann on 17/01/2017 - 15:07
    +1

    Get a motorcycle or cycle/walk from further away. This is a stoopid post.

  • gooddealmate on 17/01/2017 - 15:33
    +2

    Buy a cheap motorised scooter for a couple of hundred, park it in the middle of one of the best car parking spots at the station then move it to the front of your car when you arrive. Just remember to move it to a different spot every few days to avoid it looking like its abandoned.

  • Skramit on 17/01/2017 - 16:24
    +4

    Please don't feed the troll.

    These threads are becoming quite common……..

  • woodwa on 18/01/2017 - 08:56

    Debate it.. your reasoning may be flawed…but it may make sense to you and they will have some pity on you..you still probably get one of the fines but at least you dodged a $50 fine..

    • HeWhoKnows on 18/01/2017 - 09:38

      Highly UNLIKELY

  • ericmclee on 18/01/2017 - 09:00
    +13

    Leave your car on the tracks…nobody parks there. You'll be right.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2017 - 09:01
    +2

    A few months a go you were wondering why you were receiving low grades in your business and accounting degree. Maybe you should try improving your application of logic skills.

  • Dazza610 on 18/01/2017 - 09:02
    +2

    Have you ever thought about the "good neighbour" policy.
    Scope out houses near the station. Have a chat with the owners, and they may be open to allowing you to park on their property.(even for a small charge per week).
    Cheaper than $50 daily parking fines.

  • Seraphin7 on 18/01/2017 - 09:03

    Good Lord …

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/01/2017 - 09:33

    The fine was issued correctly. There is nothing to dispute. You cant break the law because the conditions dont suit you.
    If the car park fills by 8am (which is quite LATE compared with most places) then get up there earlier and stop complaining!

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/01/2017 - 09:36

    Lazy

  • syousef on 18/01/2017 - 15:06
    +10

    What next for discussions here?

    "I made poopie in my pants…should I change them?"…4 pages of discussion later including 1.5 on whether or not it's a troll.

  • MessyG on 18/01/2017 - 15:53

    I suspect you're not the only person who does this. You have three options:

    1. Keep risking it and copping it on the chin, and hope that it works out cheaper than parking in the city (although not the same).

    2. Get up earlier, park your car, and do something useful with the free time you get from doing so.

    3. Get a bicycle and enjoy the health benefits/saving in parking fines/sleep.

  • KBZ on 18/01/2017 - 16:07

    Stupidest post ever.
    Approach someone who lives on that Street and ask if they have a spare spot on their property you can rent if you can't afford 50buck fine a day.

  • bobbified on 18/01/2017 - 16:21
    +1

    Have you seen the Road User's Handbook?

  • Hirolol on 18/01/2017 - 17:02

    Catch an uber to the station?

    No idea how far you live from the station but maybe it will be less than $50?
    Save on petrol and u could sleep for the uber ride if ur feeling extra lazy.

  • JimmyF on 18/01/2017 - 17:34
    +1

    hahaha yeah fight it!! I mean its not your fault you parked in a 4 hr spot ALL day…. Oh wait…

  • Mintee on 18/01/2017 - 17:41

    Does this happen to be at watergardens lol! They're a joke there, even for staff, they refuse to give a parking permit out on the weekend, and theres a page long term and condition.

  • chriise on 18/01/2017 - 18:34
    +4

    This is outrageous, you should certainly dispute it. Send them a friendly but stern letter outlining everything you mentioned in this post. I'm sure they'll cancel the ticket and maybe throw you some gift vouchers for good measure. Good luck OP.

    • kolorijo on 18/01/2017 - 20:44
      +1

      They will also pick OP up from home and drive him/her to work everyday.

      • chriise on 18/01/2017 - 21:50
        +1

        didn't think this even needed mentioning. It's a given, right?

    • mmd on 18/01/2017 - 22:08
      +1

      Don't forget to threaten to take then to the ACCC

  • t_c on 18/01/2017 - 18:58

    Buy this, epoxy it down so you don't have to hammer drill, epoxy some fake bolt heads too so it looks fully legit so no one will mess with it.

    http://www.seton.net.au/fold-down-bollard-a20517w.html?pid=1…

    • Gaz1 on 19/01/2017 - 15:50

      Wow - $482 !!

  • matt_will_fix_it on 18/01/2017 - 20:24

    I'm sure its set as a 4 hour parking zone to stop exactly what you are doing - parking all day and going to the station. Find somewhere else to park or get to the station earlier

  • ATangk on 18/01/2017 - 21:05

    Wake up and get to work early, then take extended lunch breaks or leave early. If you move your sleeping slot an hour earlier, you dont have to deal with rush hour in the morning, and it feels so much more energising.

  • edy4eva on 18/01/2017 - 21:10

    The only way to dispute the fine if you can prove that the signage was poor where you parked, the lines are not clear, or that the inspector did not follow procedure (whether crossing tyres or taking photos). This dispute would have to go to court. Good luck.

  • hahaboy on 18/01/2017 - 21:12
    -6

    i don't know about all the hate, but i have a similar situation in Melbourne. I don't get fines, but if i don't get to my station on time, it's near impossible to find a reasonable place to park legally. Additionally, the council keeps adding new signs restricting parking (where parking was earlier allowed) every couple months. Seems more like a money grab more than anything.

    If there is genuinely no spaces around, i think it should be partly the responsibility of the council to improve infrastructure and parking.

    • RockyRaccoon on 18/01/2017 - 21:44
      -1

      Simple, they should let you reserve your on street parking, you deserve it as you have to go to work everyday. Then you can get up late and not worry, society needs more like you…. 😀

      • hahaboy on 19/01/2017 - 21:11

        yeh, cause let's use the same excuse for our roads, hospitals, schools and public transport too? Governments and councils are meant to be contributing towards building infrastructure. It's not about laziness.

    • mooboy on 19/01/2017 - 11:02

      They probably need to do a money grab first to have funds to improve infrastructure :)

  • WreckTangle on 18/01/2017 - 21:18

    Drive to a different station with better parking.

  • ranap on 18/01/2017 - 21:22
    +1

    Even though your question was about disputing the fine, let me attempt to give you another option to look at for the future.

    Have you tried some of the apps which allows you to search for parking spots in areas you wish for. https://www.divvyparking.com/ ; https://www.spacer.com.au or something similar.
    You might get a better secure parking spot closer to station without having to bother about fines or waking up early.

  • webbj on 18/01/2017 - 21:41
    +1

    Probably best to drive all the way into work, just park in a loading zone near your work.

    The fine will be higher, but more convenient and you wont need the hassle of the walk from car —> station —> …station —> work etc. Let alone the return walk, just jump in the car and drive directly home. Happy days.

  • TtiGeR on 18/01/2017 - 21:57

    I heard someone is getting Centrelink payments for the exact reason. Receiving more parking / traffic fines than income from work, therefore unable to work. Also more environmentally friendly!

  • gccmelb on 19/01/2017 - 00:05

    Buy a Bicycle. Pay $50 for bike cage pass. Ride to Station.

    • Euphemistic on 19/01/2017 - 11:32

      Buy a bicycle. Ride to work from home. Pay nothing to park it at work. Pay nothing in train fares. Pay less in fuel as you don't need to drive to station.

  • Viderzo on 19/01/2017 - 05:58

    Come on man, you need to think bigger. The laziest way out is to quit your job, no more parking fine, problem solved!!

  • IMadeYouReadThis on 19/01/2017 - 08:10

    Im in Melbourne.

    2 minute silence for all Victorians who are reading this and shaking their head.

  • dimasdwika on 19/01/2017 - 09:08
    +1

    OP, if you're lazy and can't be bothered. Just pay the fine and hope next one won't get fine.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 09:15

    I really can't believe what I am reading here but I guess this is now commonplace on ozbargain, home of the fine advice threads

    Why are these threads becoming more common on ozbargain? Can someone enlighten me?

    Can the Mods change the system to have a prompt before posting fine related issues ?

    I don't see how you are going to dispute the fact you parked longer than the signposted limit
    If you are running late for work I would suggest leaving home a little earlier and snagging a spot
    The old saying, the early bird gets the worm, the late worm gets the fine reigns true here

    Better yet, look around for a spare carparking space in an apartment block if the commute into work isnt too far, most people rent out spaces and it certainly will be cheaper than a fine every few days

    Also $50 is cheap for a fine, 1 minute over in Brisbane and you cop an $92 piece of paper under your windscreen

    Sorry but you will need to cough up the cash.

  • nathand on 19/01/2017 - 11:00

    Move closer to the station so you can walk?

  • BuyoTheCat on 19/01/2017 - 12:10
    +1

    park on other cars in the parking lot in the station

  • ronnknee on 19/01/2017 - 15:13
    +1

    Nekt minute, DisabledUser69.

  • mskeggs on 19/04/2017 - 14:53

    Is this OP?
    Frustrated commuter calls for more car parking at Dandenong train station
    "The self-confessed “parking warrior”…"
    http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/frustrated-commuter-cal…

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