Switch to app for e-parking to stop getting a €40 fine
THE number of people using a new e-parking app in New Ross has been growing by over 20 per cent week by week since it was introduced in mid-January.
E-parking was introduced in New Ross on Monday, January 14.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of New Ross Municipal District council, Mick McCormack of the roads department said e-parking has been working well since it was introduced. The most popular way people are using the service is through an app which can easily be downloaded at www.parkbytext.ie. The new service allows people to pay for parking for their vehicle remotely for very short periods of time, right up to for all day parking.
Mr McCormack said: ‘ There have been no significant glitches and it is working extremely well since it was launched.’
In its first week 142 people used the app service, 28 of the spaces being in New Ross. By week four 460 people used the service, with 72 usages in New Ross. ‘It’s growing steadily both in New Ross and countywide. The app is the preferred and easiest method and its usage has exceeded our expectations.’
There are plans to improve signage about the service as they are currently only visible on the machines. ‘ Modernisation of the service will continue. One new machine is being located at the Dunbrody and you can tap pay.’
Coin machines will remain in place but through the app people can pay parking per minute. Cllr Michael Sheehan said: ‘It’s working very well. I think a lot of people who get tickets. Unfortunately it’s because they don’t get back to their car in time. This will make it easier.’
He asked if a 15 minute grace period that drivers are allowed in New Ross will remain and was assured by Mr McCormack that it will.
‘If the traffic warden comes along and sees no ticket on it he can only give you a yellow card. When he comes back after 15 minutes then he can give you a red card.’
Cllr Michael Whelan asked which specific streets the app can be used on and was told all town centre streets apart from Cross Street Upper where a €2 a day rate applies.
Once a payment is made the e-parking ticket covers a driver who parks his car anywhere in the town centre.
Cllr Willie Fitzharris asked if there are enough car parking spaces in the town and was told by district director Eamonn Hore that there are more than enough spaces.
‘We are way ahead of the numbers that are actually needed. There is never a problem getting parking in New Ross. There should be provision for eight to 10 per cent of the town’s population and we have Maher’s Yard, Foley’s Yard and the Dunnes Stores site. Hopefully, one day, we will have the problem that there isn’t enough parking in New Ross because it’s so busy.’
Mr McCormack urged people to use the app, saying it is very easy to operate. ‘A little icon comes up and you can pay for five to ten minutes of more time.’
Cllr Marie Doyle asked if all parking meter machines will be modern like to the one in the Dunbrody car park.
Mr McCormack said 25 new machines have been purchased by Wexford County Council but only one is being brought to New Ross as pay parking zones haven’t been extended in the town unlike in the county’s other three main urban centres. ‘We will use some of these to replace old machines. All machines will eventually have the ability to use coins, tap and app,’ he said.
‘We’re still the cheapest town for parking in the south east,’ Mr Hore said.
Cllr Michael Sheehan asked, in jest, if the app for paid parking is going to be rolled out to the district’s villages only to be told ‘no, that won’t be happening’.