this review is on the underground 'luas park and ride' part of the shopping centre.
I use the free park and ride in the shopping centre everyday so as I can get the luas to work and do some shopping in citywest on the way back. Up until today I have though this to b a fantastic service.
about a month ago I wanted to use the luas to go to town and have a few drinks but didn't want to walk through citywest in the dark alone. so for safety I wanted drive to the shopping centre, park my car in the underground carpark 'park and ride' section, use the luas and leave my car there overnight.
I was willing to pay an overnight fee if it meant me and my car would be safe so I went to the citywest shopping centre website to check if this was allowed and what the fee is but there was no mention of a fee or not being allowed to leave your car overnight. there was also no link to a separate website for any addition security or carpark management company.
I checked the signs in the carpark and the shopping centre and although it said there was clamping in operation in the outdoor carpark there was no mention of this for the underground. there was also no mention of a time limitation for the free park and ride. there was a sign that said there was a call out fee for after it closed at 10pm but still no mention of not being allowed to leave your car overnight or that it would be clamped if you do.
so I left it overnight and there was no problem when I came to get it the next morning. after checking the signs again a few weeks later I did it again and still no problem. the third time I did it I returned to my car the next morning and there was a photocopied/handwritten note from security management saying I was not to leave it overnight, that my reg number recorded and if I left it overnight again it would be clamped.
So to sum up, the free park and ride is a fantastic idea that willI mean less cars on the roads, more people using the Luas and more people shopping in citywest BUT I think they really need to clarify exactly what the rules of the underground carpark 'park and ride' area are and update the signage and website to reflect it. And maybe some official leaflets or letters instead of hand written notes. read more