The new and improved pay-by-phone on-street parking service was launched by Mayor John Gilligan and went live on Tuesday.
The electronic display unit has been replaced by a barcode window sticker that can be scanned by traffic wardens.
ParkMagi
c is running a summer promotion where motorists can pay €1.80 when they park instead of €2 – the new price of traditional parking discs.
Limerick City Council approved the price increase of paper discs during the local authority's annual budget meeting last December. The discs cost €2 from this Tuesday, but wardens will accept discs which were bought before the price increase until the end of the month.
Rory McDermot of the council's traffic department welcomed ParkMagic's latest development
"This ParkMagic upgrade offers the people of Limerick even more convenience and comes on the back of a solid pay-by-phone user base in the city.
"Everyone in Limerick is entitled to use this wonderful service and we plan to give all car owners a free pay-by-phone starter pack. The provision of a Freephone number should encourage the further adoption of the mobile phone based system.
"Traffic management in Limerick city is of huge importance, as well as keeping the city's arteries clear, it's vital we give Limerick city drivers and visitors an easy way to pay for their on-street parking," Mr McDermot said.
Free starter packs are available by calling ParkMagic or visiting parkmagic.net
Once you receive your free starter pack, you register by calling a Freephone number and affix the barcode sticker to your car windscreen.
Whenever you park your car on a city street you call the Freephone parking number for Limerick city. You can top up your parking credit by phone, online or through participating retail outlets citywide. The new system has the added advantage of reducing the waste generated by the more traditional paper-based scratch discs, which are only valid for one parking transaction.
Existing users of ParkMagic can continue to use their in-car display or they can switch over to the battery-less model by contacting ParkMagic.
The full article contains 384 words and appears in Limerick Leader City Editio newspaper.
