Council is the first outside capital to use cashless parking

A local authority in Co Clare has become the first outside of Dublin to introduce a cashless pay and display system which accepts credit cards.

Ennis Town Council has installed the first of the new machines on a trial basis, in the Abbey St car park.

While several authorities are understood to be considering similar systems, Ennis has become the first local authority outside of the capital to introduce the payment method.

The machine accepts all major credit cards, as well as debit and Laser cards. It also takes coins.

Ennis town clerk Leonard Cleary said: “This is a pilot project by Ennis Town Council, which we will seek to roll out elsewhere depending on its success in the Abbey St car park.

“The council is seeking to make the best use of technology, which is one of the actions identified in the local government efficiency review report.”

"Customers of Ennis have been asking for new technology methods of parking payment.

“This is the first in a series of new pilot technologies being researched by Ennis Town Council.

“Research may include an option for payment through telephone technology in the future. A wider review of the parking bylaws, including public consultation, is planned within the next 12 months,” he said.

“This cashless system offers an alternative to customers to simply pay for parking with their card, eliminating time-consuming cash management.

“It should also be noted that there is no transaction fee payable by the customer.”

The mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle, said: “The new system will prove useful to the many motorists who often do not have the correct amount of change when paying for parking."

Dún Laoighaire/Rathdown is the only other authority in Ireland operating the cashless system.

Some city authorities and car park management companies have already introduced parking tag systems which allow motorists to top up the electronic unit using credit or debit cards or by mobile phone.