Drivers to see pay and display machines disappear amid dramatic switch to cashless parking

Thousands of drivers could see major parking changes introduced in the near future that will result in them paying to park with an app, rather than cash.

The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has announced its intention to almost half of its pay and display machines.

It is currently responsible for 279 machines and aims to cut this to around 150 in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn.

The modernisation project will see drivers needing to use ticketless parking, which will remove the ability to pay using cash.

It echoes a growing trend of pay and display parking machines being axed in favour of using apps, like RingGo and JustPark, and ditching physical tickets.

The DfI said its existing fleet of pay and display machines was approaching "end of life", prompting the decision to modernise its parking measures.

Councils have been warned in recent years that some pay and display may become defunct as the national 2G and 3G mobile networks are phased out.

All mobile operators will cease 2G and 3G networks by 2033 in favour of faster 4G and 5G connections, although this could cause havoc for some motorists.

A survey by the Local Government Association found that two-thirds of councils were still using devices on 2G and 3G to at least a "small extent".

Over half of these councils said their highways, transport and parking services were reliant on the older 2G and 3G networks.

Speaking in 2023, Councillor Mark Hawthorne, digital connectivity spokesperson for the LGA, noted that councils need to minimise the impact of the switch-off.

He said: "Older, legacy infrastructure ranging from parking meters and payment machines to emergency auto diallers and sensors in social housing, may need upgrading or replacing to work on new, faster 4G and 5G networks.

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"Time is running out if we are to avoid the fallout from the big switch off."

Data from the Department for Infrastructure found that around 70 per cent of parking income is generated through digital payments.

Any pay and display machines that are set to be axed will be removed, while others may be relocated.

New machines that are introduced will use a pay-by-plate system, meaning drivers who avoid the use of an app will enter their vehicle registration.

Documents from the DfI state: "The aim of the programme is to modernise on-street parking infrastructure across Belfast, Lisburn and Newry by reducing, relocating and upgrading Pay and Display machines to better reflect current usage patterns.

"The programme will reduce the total number of machines from approximately 279 to around 150, removing underused infrastructure, reducing maintenance and cash collection costs, and improving overall efficiency."

It announced in 2020 that it would be changingits cashless parking provider from Parkmobile to JustPark in Belfast, Lisburn and Newry.

The DfI confirmed that Parkmobile would no longer be used for cashless parking across Northern Ireland from January 16, 2020.