‘Touch N Go’ trial rolls out in CBD
A NEW method to pay for parking is being trialled in the Shepparton CBD. On Friday, July 18, Greater Shepparton City Council began installing 15 new ‘Touch N Go’ machines in key locations, providing an alternative payment method for people who are parking in ticketed areas.
The Touch N Go trial is being delivered in partnership with parking technology provider Orikan and aims to simplify the parking system, with a touch-and-go system that is convenient and smartphone friendly.
The 15 new machines will be located in high-traffic CBD areas, including:
- Fryers Street, between Wyndham and Corio Streets – Three machines
- Corio Street, between Edward and High Streets – Three machines
- Maude Street, between Nixon and Vaughan Streets, including the new Maude Street Precinct – Six machines
- High Street, between Wyndham and Corio Streets – Three machines.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the trial is part of Council’s ongoing efforts to improve the way people interact with the city centre.
“We’re excited to be trialling the new Touch N Go parking system to make it easier for people to get in, park and enjoy all that our CBD has to offer,” he said.
“This trial is completely free for Council and comes at no cost to the community. It is about testing a new approach to deliver a more modern, convenient and user-friendly experience.”
The virtual meters use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which smartphone users may already use when they ‘tap’ their phone to pay at the checkout, instead of inserting or swiping their bankcard.
To use the Touch N Go virtual metres, tap your smartphone to pay for parking and follow the prompts. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code and follow the prompts on your mobile phone.
When you tap your phone or scan the QR code, PayStay will automatically open for you. If you are a registered PayStay app user, the PayStay app will open. If you do not have the app, the PayStay Guest website will open instead where you can follow the simple prompts to activate a one off PayStay session.
Council said it will be monitoring the trial period closely to assess usability, reliability and community uptake, and encourages residents, businesses and visitors to give the new system a try and to share their feedback. Drivers can still pay for parking using traditional methods such as coins or via the PayStay app.
