School’s in as students begin studies for Parking Meters 101

The first of six lunchtime Hobart City Council classes has been held to explain how to use the city’s new parking meters.

Hobart City Council director city innovation and technology Peter Carr, left, and Hobart City Council training officer Andrew Salisbury at a parking metre workshop in Salamanca Square. Picture: PATRICK GEE

TUCK your shirts in, spit out your chewing gum and be on your best behaviour.

The first of six lunchtime Hobart City Council classes was held on Thursday at Salamanca Square to explain how to use its new parking meters.

The two-hour session included a demonstration using an operational parking meter and provided an opportunity to ask questions, as well as to address any confusion around how parking infringements are incurred.

Hobart City Council director city innovation and technology Peter Carr said there had been a 4-5 per cent uptake of the EasyPark app and expected that to grow.

Hobart motorists coming to terms with the new parking meters. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The parking meters offer multiple payment options, including coins, credit cards and the EasyPark app, which allows users to pay via their smartphone for only the length time they actually use.

“The uptake has been very good,” Mr Carr said.

“Burnie uses the same app and has an 8 per cent usage rate and we expect Hobart to get between 10-20 per cent in the next few years.

“I know there has been some negativity around the meters but that may have served to make the less digitally minded citizens a little more scared of them.

“We are here to help.”

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MP RIPS INTO HOBART CITY COUNCIL PARKING METERS

NEW APP TO MAKE PARKING EASIER

Motorists in Salamanca trying to operate one of the new parking meters. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The sessions – which run for two hours and allow people to attend for as long or as little as they need – come in the wake of mass confusion about the new meters.

Criticisms have included that the screens are hard to read, the machines are difficult to operate, and that a $3 minimum charge if paying by credit card is unreasonable.

The next session will be held at Salamanca Square on Saturday from 11am to 1pm.

The four remaining sessions will be held at Franklin Square on February 26 and 28 and Wellington Court on March 5 and 7 all from 11am to 1pm.