Number of parking machines cut to make way for ticketless system

Stormont's Department for Infrastructure is to remove almost half the pay and display machines it owns in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn.

It is part of a modernisation project which will also include a move to ticketless parking.

The department currently has 279 machines and aims to cut to that to about 150.

It reflects a growing move to app-based car parking payments, but the remaining machines will still accept cash payments.

The move has had a mixed reaction from the public.

The department is responsible for managing on-street parking across Northern Ireland while local councils and private operators run off-street car parks.

It outsources enforcement and operation to a private company, currently APCOA.

The department says its existing fleet of pay and display machines is approaching end of life and that "provides an opportunity to modernise infrastructure alongside rationalisation".

Wallace Douglas from Carryduff frequently travels to Lisburn for shopping.

He often avails of on-street parking but prefers to pay with cash.

He has previously used parking apps but described them as "an absolute torture".

"Sometimes you can get signal and other times you can't, and sometimes it doesn't work," he said.

Douglas said he always has loose change change in his pocket and would not be willing to make the switch to cashless parking.

Katie Hook, 23, travels to Lisburn from Dromore for bank services and beauty appointments.

She also prefers to pay for her parking with cash.

Hook has never felt tempted to download a parking app as she fears her "phone might die" when she needs to pay.

She said transitioning to a cashless payment system wouldn't take much adjusting for her, but is concerned it would be more difficult for pensioners.

Data from the Department for Infrastructure shows a big shift towards cashless parking, with half of all transactions, representing about 70% of parking income, now generated through digital payments.

Under the rationalisation scheme, underused on-street machines will be removed while others will be relocated based on street layout and footfall.

New machines will use a pay-by-plate system meaning drivers not using the app will need to enter their vehicle registration number at the machine.

That will eliminate the need for a physical paper ticket.

The plan is that payment by coins will still be supported at the new machines, alongside digital methods.

Joe Edwards from Dunmurry has used parking apps, but said "anything that makes things more difficult for people instead of better, isn't a good idea".

He said street parking should be more "accessible" for people and believes it could help with town centre footfall.

Elizabeth Wilson, 73, frequently uses parking apps after making the switch from cash payments.

She said "the apps suit me fine but I think it may be difficult for some pensioners who don't have smartphones".

Wilson said young people in particular will benefit from the transition as "they rarely carry cash".

"I don't mind the apps myself and I've never experienced any issues with them," she added.

It is understood the changes will happen on a phased basis with the changes in Belfast aimed to be complete by the end of this year.