DJR Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 Just stay out of Lower Tokai in the meantime. SANParks were checking permits there this morning. This was the first time I have ever been stopped in Lower Tokai. (That must be one of the worst jobs that a game warden has to do.)Checking cyclists AND dog walkers or only checking cyclists? I'm sure 90% of people walking there with their dogs have no activity card. Also, there is no way to buy a day ticket. Also, 90% of the cyclists are just kids riding their little bikes while the moms jog or push the pram, so, most unlikely to have a card. Both the last 2 occasions I went there the place was spooky empty and I think it is because people stay away after the gruesome rape and murder that happened there. I would have thought Parks would be trucking people in and offering them KFC to go there and make it safe! Oh, wait. I was thinking election rallies, maybe they just want to empty the place completely!? (Sorry, there is no "sadly shaking my head" emoticon)
splat Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 Just stay out of Lower Tokai in the meantime. SANParks were checking permits there this morning. This was the first time I have ever been stopped in Lower Tokai. (That must be one of the worst jobs that a game warden has to do.)They were also checking permits at Rhodes Gate last weekend for an hour or so.I dont know what they want to achieve by that apart from pissing people off and turning them away. I think that its so silly - especially when you can't buy a day pass. I did do the Wa Pad & Silvermine loop this morning for the 1st time in AGES. It was awesome to be up there. I happily (with gritted teeth) paid my R70. I somehow feel better about paying there, than I would to pay to ride on Table Mountain.
DJR Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 They were also checking permits at Rhodes Gate last weekend for an hour or so.I dont know what they want to achieve by that apart from pissing people off and turning them away. I think that its so silly - especially when you can't buy a day pass. I did do the Wa Pad & Silvermine loop this morning for the 1st time in AGES. It was awesome to be up there. I happily (with gritted teeth) paid my R70. I somehow feel better about paying there, than I would to pay to ride on Table Mountain.I will happily pay (at Silvermine or anywhere in the park), but I want something from them: 1. Access control: To at least TRY keep the baddies out (that's why there are no robberies at Cape Point and why there were very few at Tokai upper - access control!2. Fair treatment for ALL! You use it, you pay for it, whether you just walk there with or without a dog or ride your bike. No more picking on cyclists for a quick buck, let EVERYONE pay, like at Cape Point or Silvermine.3. Make payment simple and easy. None of this stupid nonsense where you HAVE to pay for a whole year whether you ride once or a hundred times. Give me a day ticket option, even online, and I'll pay. Make it simple to get a years activity card. None of this weekday office hours and only at this office, not that one. As for the rangers checking permits, I have been turned away a couple of times, with my dog and on the bike, I stay polite, offer to pay for the day, which they cannot help with, and then go elsewhere. Making it one fewer pair of eyes and ears to combat the robbers they seem unable to eradicate from especially Rhodes Mem (my backyard). Like I said, the day they open Tokai, I fork out for a new activity permit. I've had one since the very day it was introduced, but I refuse to renew it because I feel they have treated me badly after the fires and I feel discriminated against because walkers can enter for free where I have to pay.
Hairy Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 Come on sanparks....there is something called snap scan, will simplify day pass access immensely. Post the signs at access points and be done with it. So I wonder how much they are going to Jack the day permit up to when Tokai opens
shah33m Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 They were also checking permits at Rhodes Gate last weekend for an hour or so.I dont know what they want to achieve by that apart from pissing people off and turning them away. I think that its so silly - especially when you can't buy a day pass. I did do the Wa Pad & Silvermine loop this morning for the 1st time in AGES. It was awesome to be up there. I happily (with gritted teeth) paid my R70. I somehow feel better about paying there, than I would to pay to ride on Table Mountain.I was there last week Sunday as well. Was rudely stopped by a bunch of these guys. Honestly i thought i was going to be mugged or something. They were definitely on a power trip. One guy drove in with his car and they did not stop him.I asked if i drove in with my car and my bike on the rack if they would let me juat drive in too. The guy then said yes, as long as you not cycling in. This was the first time i saw these guys checking permits.
(Deon) Posted June 13, 2016 Author Posted June 13, 2016 Yes, a really tough spot to be. The public hold the Park responsible for the girl's murder and now demand an increased ranger presence. It's like those complaint letters in the paper calling for a clamp down on drunk drivers and then being upset that you can't have more than one drink at your best friends's bachelors.
Headshot Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Yes, a really tough spot to be. The public hold the Park responsible for the girl's murder and now demand an increased ranger presence. It's like those complaint letters in the paper calling for a clamp down on drunk drivers and then being upset that you can't have more than one drink at your best friends's bachelors.It is a bit like that but people don't solely blame them - SANP also need to move with the times - as Hairy says there are such simple ways to solve the permit payment problem. Must be about two years ago that I sent TMNP a suggestion that they empower the "game" rangers to issue permits for activities. So if they find a rider or whoever without one they simply take your money. Snap scan makes even more sense - no excuses for not paying if there's a pay point at every entrance. As far as lower Tokai is concerned - I don't even bother to ride into it anymore. I turn off before the entrance near the M3 and take the back roads towards Uitsig. Ride, walk the dog and tot in the green belt - much better.
(Deon) Posted June 13, 2016 Author Posted June 13, 2016 It is a bit like that but people don't solely blame them - SANP also need to move with the times - as Hairy says there are such simple ways to solve the permit payment problem. Must be about two years ago that I sent TMNP a suggestion that they empower the "game" rangers to issue permits for activities. So if they find a rider or whoever without one they simply take your money. Snap scan makes even more sense - no excuses for not paying if there's a pay point at every entrance. As far as lower Tokai is concerned - I don't even bother to ride into it anymore. I turn off before the entrance near the M3 and take the back roads towards Uitsig. Ride, walk the dog and tot in the green belt - much better.Would you also have a PnP shelf packer take your R8.95 for the Koo corn can so you don't have to stand in the queue? He'd need to give you change and a receipt, and the shop owner would then only employ those who can work with numbers to pack shelves.. maybe it's better the rangers don't accept your cash. I do agree that a better payment method is found, it's been an annual suggestion but without implementation. Frustrating to say the least..
Shebeen Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Checking cyclists AND dog walkers or only checking cyclists? I'm sure 90% of people walking there with their dogs have no activity card. Also, there is no way to buy a day ticket. Also, 90% of the cyclists are just kids riding their little bikes while the moms jog or push the pram, so, most unlikely to have a card. Both the last 2 occasions I went there the place was spooky empty and I think it is because people stay away after the gruesome rape and murder that happened there. I would have thought Parks would be trucking people in and offering them KFC to go there and make it safe! Oh, wait. I was thinking election rallies, maybe they just want to empty the place completely!? (Sorry, there is no "sadly shaking my head" emoticon) Lower Tokai (AKA Tokai east) should NEVER require a permit to do anything. just blerrie ridiculous, IMHO
Hairy Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Lower Tokai (AKA Tokai east) should NEVER require a permit to do anything. just blerrie ridiculous, IMHOthe same for the city side of Table Mountain!
faanie Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Noted. The committee will meet next week to discuss the final plans for the restoration of trails but it has already been decided that the weekend of the 18th June will be the first volunteer build day since March 2015. Look out for confirmation of details on Twitter, Facebook and of course, Bikehub. Fasting at the moment so not into hard labour. Could help with transporting people up and down in 4x4 if needed. Let me know.. wouldn't mind wielding my chainsaw either
Headshot Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Would you also have a PnP shelf packer take your R8.95 for the Koo corn can so you don't have to stand in the queue? He'd need to give you change and a receipt, and the shop owner would then only employ those who can work with numbers to pack shelves.. maybe it's better the rangers don't accept your cash. I do agree that a better payment method is found, it's been an annual suggestion but without implementation. Frustrating to say the least..I scheme that the Rangers could simply check for snapscan payments and then encourage non-payers to scan the code that they carry with them. No cash, no fines, no problem. How is that for goodwill creation?
Eddy Gordo Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Would you also have a PnP shelf packer take your R8.95 for the Koo corn can so you don't have to stand in the queue? He'd need to give you change and a receipt, and the shop owner would then only employ those who can work with numbers to pack shelves.. maybe it's better the rangers don't accept your cash. I do agree that a better payment method is found, it's been an annual suggestion but without implementation. Frustrating to say the least..Naa, you cannot compare the 2, but at least with metro rail, when the conductor comes and check for tickets, you have the option of buying a ticket then and there. So surely the same can be done with rangers. It is also not rocket science on trains. Plain old invoice books
Flowta Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Naa, you cannot compare the 2, but at least with metro rail, when the conductor comes and check for tickets, you have the option of buying a ticket then and there. So surely the same can be done with rangers. It is also not rocket science on trains. Plain old invoice books Agreed, stupid comparison. Parking marshals in the CBD are also able to do it quite sufficiently. Even Big Issue sellers have Snapscan
Headshot Posted June 13, 2016 Posted June 13, 2016 Agreed, stupid comparison. Parking marshals in the CBD are also able to do it quite sufficiently. Even Big Issue sellers have Snapscan You are aware of course that SANP is a stone age organization of epic proportions?
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