Parking discounts driving-up app’s use

Record numbers of drivers are using the City’s EasyPark mobile phone app to take advantage of 25 per cent discounts on hourly rates.

Pay-by-phone transactions shot up 80 per cent from December to January (15,000-27,000) and a further 30 per cent from February to March (27,000-35,000), proving Novocastrians are willing to embrace smart city technology.

From when the discount was introduced on 1 January to 1 March, 62,000 transactions were made via the mobile phone application – more than double the 30,000 for the two months from November to December.

Transactions had been increasing at a steady average of 20 per cent a month between March 2018, when EasyPark was introduced, and December.

Nearing the halfway mark of the six-month trial of the discount, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the numbers showed the incentive was clearly working.

“Drivers are embracing this easy, convenient and cost-effective parking payment mechanism which is keeping more money in their pockets while preparing them for Australian-first technology that will soon guide drivers to vacant parking spaces,” the Lord Mayor said.

From July, users of the EasyPark app will be able to log in and view the availability of parking spaces across the City.

The app will have the ability to point out to drivers the most likely place to find a park, based on sophisticated parking algorithms.

Cr Nelmes said the City would review the 25 per cent discount in time for the 2019-20 budget.

The EasyPark app can be downloaded via the Apple app store by typing EasyPark or at Google Play for Android users. Just look for the logo of a white ‘e’ set in a pink square. Motorists can also call EasyPark on 1300 734 070 for assistance with the app.