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Belfast Ditches Parking Machines: Cashless Future Arrives
4 Jun
Summary
- Nearly half of Belfast's pay and display machines will be removed.
- This modernization includes a shift to ticketless parking systems.
- Digital payments now account for 70% of parking income in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure is significantly reducing its pay and display machines in Belfast, Newry, and Lisburn. Almost half of the 279 machines will be removed, leaving around 150 as part of a modernization initiative. This move aligns with a broader shift towards ticketless parking and app-based payment systems.
The department, responsible for on-street parking, notes that its current machines are nearing the end of their operational life. This presents an opportunity to update infrastructure and streamline operations. Data indicates a substantial move towards digital payments, now comprising half of all transactions and approximately 70% of parking revenue.
While some drivers find parking apps inconvenient, citing issues with signal and functionality, others have embraced the digital transition. The new pay-by-plate system will still support coin payments at machines for those not using apps, eliminating the need for paper tickets. Changes in Belfast are expected to be implemented in phases, with completion targeted by the end of this year.
