Scrambling for change for the parking meter may become a thing of the past in Dublin, following the introduction of a service that allows you to pay by mobile phone.
The mPARK scheme is available in city-centre areas stretching from Parnell Square to Merrion Square and from Wood Quay to Burgh Quay.
Once you ring a prescribed number, and enter the parking meter's ID number and duration of parking, the machine prints out the parking ticket. The parking costs then appear on your next mobile phone or credit card bill.
The meters' cash facility has not been changed so motorists can still use coins to pay for parking.
It is not possible to top up the meter with your mobile phone from the comfort of your office, as the ticket must still be printed out and displayed on the car.
A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said there was nothing to stop people feeding the meter all day, as was sometimes done with the cash option, but she stressed that it was illegal and cars would be clamped if it was discovered.
The service was launched yesterday by the Dublin Lord Mayor, Cllr Dermot Lacey, who said he fervently hoped he would not have to use the parking meters soon.
His O3 D 1 car stood outside the Mansion House, he said, but if the city councillors did not resolve their budgetary crisis, he may lose the car, and his Lord Mayor role.
Welcoming the new service, Dublin's director of traffic, Mr Owen Keegan, said he believed the service would be a success because about 80 per cent of motorists in Dublin had mobile phones. "We were concerned for some time that offering only one payment option was limiting," he said.
However, the service will cost motorists slightly extra, because of the local phone call which must be made to trigger the payment. In addition, while parking in this "very high demand" zone costs €1.90 per hour, €2 must be entered for the mobile phone service. However, motorists get the benefit of 10 cent more worth of parking.
Some 150 pay-and-display meters have been equipped to accept payment by mobile phone. The Irish software company Itsmobile developed the technology. The company believes it will be attractive for corporate users as they will be able to bill the cost of parking during business hours to their corporate phone bills.
Motorists can register for the scheme on www.mpark.ie or by calling 01-449-9000, or through Vodafone or O2.
Irishman's Diary: Page 15
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