All change for parking payments Councilmaygocontactless
Contactless payment is being looked at by PKC The days of fumbling for change to park in Perth and Kinross could end soon.
Perth and Kinross Council is considering the introduction of contactless parking meters.
Environment and infrastructure committee convener Angus Forbes explained that as the current meters cannot accept 1p, 2p or 5p coins, other options are being looked at following the announcement of a 10 per cent price increase.
As a straight jump in price is not always possible, Cllr Forbes revealed the council is working on plans to introduce contactless payment.
He said: “It isn’t a case of just adding on 10 per cent. If somewhere costs 40p just now we can’t charge 44p. The machines can’t take it.
“We’re trying to bring in a total of 10 per cent extra from parking in total so we’re making adjustments to charges.
“It is entirely to do with the coinage so the increases will be between eight and 13 per cent. The figures drop slightly as some people then choose to park further away where it is cheaper but that is factored intro our calculations.
“We are looking at contactless options just now but in the meantime the machines can’t accept 5p coins or smaller. Contactless is absolutely the route we are looking at for the future.”
Aware that price rises are not always popular, Cllr Forbes insisted the money will go to improving car parks and the price will still be significantly cheaper than Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
The Conservative elected member added: “This is the first rise in six years and the money raised is kept within the car parking account and goes towards developing car parks.
“We spent £2 million over the last two to three years on upgrading car parks to make them safe and accessible, which will help economic development in the city.
“Perth is still cheaper than most other Scottish cities for parking.
“The 15-minute free period is continuing and we will look again at the free parking on weekends in the run up to Christmas.”
The price changes are expected to be introduced at the beginning of next month.
It isn’t a case of just adding 10 per cent