A parking app trial will go ahead in Christchurch, New Zealand in the coming year, according to a recent press release.
Background of the Initiative
The Urban Development and Transport Committee has agreed to amend the Christchurch City Council Traffic and Parking Bylaw to make paying by parking app an accepted method of payment for metered parking in the city.
That small amendment means the Council can push ahead with a plan to trial the Pay My Park app for 12 months, in the coming year.
Payment by parking app needs to be added to the list of payment methods allowed under the bylaw before the trial of the Pay My Park app can get underway.
Following the trial, a decision will be made about how people can be provided with the convenience of online parking payments on a permanent basis.
About Christchurch Pay My Park App
Used by several other Councils around New Zealand, the Pay My Park app allows people to pay for their parking using their smartphone or mobile device.
People using the app can choose to pay per session as a casual user or they can set up an account.
While people will not be able to use the app to pay for parking in Council parking buildings during the trial, the Council is exploring ways of allowing this in the future.
As reported, Council Smart Cities Manager Michael Healy explained that the app will make paying for parking quick and easy.
With the app, users need only to pay for the time they are parked and can actually receive an alert when the paid parking is about to expire. In addition, extending the parking time can be done remotely through the app.
Residents will love the convenience that the app will bring, thus the proposal for a trial for on-street parking, which will last for a year.
OpenGov Asia recently reported on Christchurch poised to be New Zealand’s base for aerospace innovation.
Christchurch will aim to be New Zealand’s aerospace hub by 2025 under a new strategic plan.
The plan, which is commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), details the goals and steps required for the city to become an internationally recognised aerospace centre.
The five-year plan sets out multiple goals and actions for the local aerospace sector, based on four themes. These are:
- Knowledge sharing
- Innovation and test-bed capabilities
- Pathways to attract and expand businesses
- Education and training
Under the plan, actions under each of these themes include working with the University of Canterbury to extend the use of the University’s existing testing facilities.