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CoD new parking meters suit those who do not carry cash

28 Aug 2024

Following on from news of the new parking meters installed by City of Darwin in the CBD, on behalf of one of our Members, we asked the question, “What about those who don’t use a mobile phone. Many elderly do not. What options do they have?” We received the following infomration on alternatives for parking payment if you have no access to a mobile phone.

Thank you for sharing your experience with using PayStay in a City of Darwin parking space. We appreciate your feedback and acknowledge your concern.  Please see the “PayStay” section on alternatives for parking payment if no access to a mobile phone.

City of Darwin have installed new meters in the city centre that now have pay-by-plate and credit card payment functionality.

  • The new meters allow people to: Pay-by-plate, using their registration plate details to activate a parking session.
  • Pay with a credit or debit card either online, through the PayStay app or directly at the meter.
  • The new meters do not take cash, meaning the parking system is completely cashless.

PAYSTAY STAFF ASSISTANCE

  • Members from the PayStay team will be in Darwin between Monday 26 and Thursday 29 August to assist people in the city centre with validating their parking.
  • They’ll be walking around the streets and available to answer any questions or help people use PayStay.
  • They will be easy to spot as they will be wearing blue PayStay vests at the following times:
    • Monday 26 August – 11am to 5pm
    • Tuesday 27 August – 11am to 5pm
    • Wednesday 28 August – 8.00am to 2pm
    • Thursday 29 August – 8am to 12pm

ABOUT THE NEW METERS:

  •  More than 100 new meters, called MetroLite Touch meters, will be installed.
  • The new meters are solar powered, making them more environmentally friendly.
  • They feature 4G technology, a pay-by-plate option and the ability to pay by credit or debit card.
  • They are robust, reliable and easy to use which is great for residents and visitors to the city.
  • They feature user-friendly digital screens which allows the user to choose how long they want to park for or make a payment via tap and go.
  • They also provide the option to receive an electronic receipt at the end of the transaction. 
  • We will also install more than 40 ‘Touch and Go’ meters on street sign poles around the city.
  • These meters have no digital screen and payment is made via a mobile phone, linking directly back to the PayStay app or the PayStay website.
  • The new meters do not take cash, however there are alternative options in place for people who don’t feel comfortable paying at the meter.

WHY WE HAVE MADE THE CHANGE:

  •  We undertook an extensive parking review which found that the technology was outdated and inconvenient for those who do not carry cash or for visitors to the city.
  • The current meters are running off a 3G network that is reaching the end of useful life. Without a complete upgrade to each metre, enabling connection to an upgraded network, these metres will not continue to operate.
  • City of Darwin officers regularly receive negative feedback that the current on-street meters do not accept credit card.
  • An audit conducted on parking in the Darwin city centre found the technology used is old, outdated and time consuming.
  • Changes have been made to make paying for parking in the city centre more streamlined.
  • People can now validate their parking as a guest without the need to set up an account.
  • For more information visit www.darwin.nt.gov.au/resident-services/parking

 PAYSTAY:

 People can pay for parking using the PayStay app, through their account or as a guest on the PayStay website or by calling 1300 322 111.

  • Basics cards can be used with the PayStay app, via the PayStay website or by calling PayStay.
  • Basics cards cannot be used at the new meters as they don’t have the necessary chip within them.
  • Other tap-and-go cards, purchased at stores such as Australia Post and supermarkets, can also be used to pay for parking at the new meters. 
  • The PayStay app provides a simple way to pay for parking via a smart phone and shows available parking locations in real time, helping users find a park quickly.
  • The PayStay app has recently been upgraded to make it easier to stop, extend or start your parking sessions from anywhere.
  • PayStay provides parking services across Darwin, the Darwin Waterfront Precinct and Palmerston, creating a seamless experience across the Greater Darwin region.
  • The new guest functionality in PayStay means you can just pay for what you use without the need to preload a fixed amount to an account.

 HOW TO GET HELP:

 Users can call PayStay for immediate assistance on 1300 322 111.

  • Users can also call City of Darwin Customer Service, or come into Customer Service at the Civic Centre and our team can assist. 
  • Users can provide feedback on the app through the platform they download their apps in (eg Apple App Store).
  • If the app or public free Wi-Fi aren’t working, please let us know and we will investigate.
  • The Click and Fix app is available to report non-emergency issues in the Darwin area – find the app on our website – darwin.nt.gov.au/live/property-rates/report-an-issue/click-and-fix

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