The present hours of a free parking scheme for the elderly are impractical, Wanganui superannuitant lobby group Grey Power says, and the group wants the Wanganui District Council to change them.
Super Gold card holders are entitled to free parking in the central city from 8.30am to 10am but Grey Power
wants that to run for three hours, from 9am to midday.
Tony Grant-Fargie, Grey Power president, said the present times were "hopeless" because most of the inner-city stores were not open at 8.30am.
The free parking scheme has been on trial, and that was due to expire on March 31.
Mr Grant-Fargie said his organisation had been advised that the council would extend the trial until April 18, when the next full council meeting takes place.
"Grey Power believes the seniors in this city were short-changed by council and that other cities treat their seniors better," he said.
He said Grey Power was anticipating some positive change when the review took place.
The parking trial was discussed at the recent Positive Ageing Strategy.
Mr Grant-Fargie said there were about 7000 superannuitants in the city and about 5000 of them had drivers' licences.
He said Grey Power's initial submission asked for the district council to adopt the same two-hour free parking scheme that New Plymouth District Council had in place for its seniors.
