CASHLESS parking meters have been introduced at two car parks in Tralee town centre.

Three councillors — Sinn Féin Cllrs Deirdre Ferris and Cathal Foley and Fianna Fáil Cllr Mikey Sheehy — asked for an update on the rollout of the smart parking project for the Tralee Municipal District at the meeting of councillors this Monday morning.

The Council has recently installed two new cashless parking meters, one located in the Parklands car park and the other in the Brandon car park, on a trial basis. Cash-friendly meters are still operational at both car parks.

The new parking machines facilitate the public to pay for their parking using a debit or credit card. If this trial period proves successful, the Council will proceed to tender for the replacement of all parking meters in Tralee town centre.

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In addition to the replacement of parking meters, the Council has also explored the possibility of introducing cashless parking which is a quick and secure way to pay for parking.

These cashless options would enable “touch free” parking where the public can pay for their parking via a number of options such as an app, text or phone.

There can also be additional features to enable customers to top up their parking remotely, receive reminders when parking is about to expire and other functionality to further support businesses and encourage customers to park and shop in the town.

It is intended to pursue this new initiative in conjunction with replacing the meters over the coming months.