Have you found Hobart’s new parking meters difficult to use? You’re not alone

THE rollout of Hobart’s new parking meters has not won over locals with many complaining about poor instructions, screen glare and slow connection.

Motorists in Salamanca coming to terms with the new parking meters being rolled out around Hobart. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

SLOW, horrible screen glare, confusing instructions and a waste of money.

These are the words used by Hobartians to describe their experiences using the new parking meters rolled out by Hobart City Council in the past month.

Change is always hard and it seems Hobartians are uniting in their frustration with the new parking meters, which allow credit card payments.

A council spokesman confirmed there had been some glitches since the rollout began last month forcing the council to halt the rollout for a week.

“There have been some teething issues during the rollout phase of the new meters, ranging from the technical to ensuring users are aware of how to use them properly,” the spokesman said.

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On Wednesday, the Mercury spent half an hour along Salamanca Place speaking with motorists as they used the new machines.

Many fumbled their way through, some swearing in frustration as they realised they had to run back to their cars to note their parking bay numbers.

Drivers making a payment at one of the new parking meters in Salamanca. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“That is not easy to understand and it’s a waste of money,” one man said as he stomped away.

“These machines are not intuitive,” said another woman.

Carmen Bernstein ran over to ask if the Mercury was doing a story on the subject.

“I think they are very slow and frustrating to use,” she said.

“The screen glare is bad, I couldn’t see it, and the people behind me were getting impatient.”

The new system features in-ground parking sensors that can detect the moment a ­vehicle arrives.

The bad news for drivers is the sensor will immediately notify parking inspectors electronically when motorists exceed their time limits.

Alderman and lord mayor hopeful Jeff Briscoe was flagged down by a motorist while out campaigning recently over the meters.

“Sun glare on the screens and connection problems with Telstra, which means they are slow to use, are some of the problems I’m hearing,” Mr Briscoe said.

The Hobart City Council’s Facebook page has been inundated with comments from drivers frustrated with the new meters.

But the council spokesman said the uptake had been strong with 125,000 successful transactions.

“In total the rollout will provide 313 new meters across Hobart, providing drivers with more user-friendly options to pay their parking fees, including tap and go with a credit card and an app that will be available once the rollout is complete,” he said.

“The new meters also allow users to top up their parking from any meter, so long as they know their four digit bay number.”

The rollout is expected to be completed by the end of the week.