Few use car pool option

Despite the lure of free car parking close to central Queenstown, only a "small number" of commuters car pooled.

Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander said the scheme, which was introduced in 2010 when car parking fees rose, had a "fairly low profile".

Those wishing to take advantage of free parking must register with the council and at least three permits indicating three adult occupants must be displayed on the car's dashboard.

A recent survey showed four vehicles car pooling in the Boundary Rd park and six at the Ballarat St park and 53 people holding permits at present, Mr Mander said.

"The way it's set up is it reserves those areas between 8am and 10am then after that anyone can park there," he said of the reserved car parking sections.

"From my recollection there has not been a lot of interest since the scheme started."

When the scheme was established "there was a lot of talk", but "there has not been much in the way of reminders", he said.

While the reserved sections were not actively monitored, he said the scheme seemed to be working well for the small number of commuters.

Car pooling is promoted by the New Zealand Transport Agency as a sustainable transport option and to reduce traffic congestion.