Published Monday, 26 November 2012
The scheme will be rolled out at the end of this month. (© Pacemaker)
Danny Kennedy said the scheme - which allows motorists to pay for parking without the need for coins - is to be formally introduced at all of the Roads Service's pay and display car parks throughout the region at the end of November, following a two-year pilot.
He explained: "The trial of Northern Ireland's first cashless pay by phone parking scheme was very successful, with over 130,000 calls having been taken since the scheme's introduction in 2011. This is a clear indication that motorists have benefited from using the service."
The system means drivers can use credit or debit card to make their payment and can extend their stay over the telephone without the need to return to their vehicle.
It was initially trialled in Belfast two years ago before being rolled out in Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry and Omagh in January 2012.
"It makes sense to give other towns which have pay and display parking the same opportunity to make use of the scheme," the DRD minister continued.
"It provides a viable alternative to coins at parking machines allowing a credit or debit card payment substitute and it gives people a convenient way to extend their parking stay."