Motorists paying for parking fees with a phone app in ACT government-run car parks could now be paying up to 10 per cent more, after the territory was forced to switch providers.
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A city worker who parks five days a week in Civic could pay up to $456 more a year if they used the new app's default settings, or more than $126 extra a year if they pay for the app's "saver" subscription.
Parkmobile, the app which had been available for use in government owned car parks since 2014, will on Thursday end all operations in Australia, after its parent company was taken over by EasyPark.
EasyPark, which is already used in National Capital Authority controlled parking areas, charges a 10 per cent commission on top of parking fees, or offers a subscription plan to lower its commission costs.
Motorists can still avoid the price hike in ACT government-run car parks by using the pay machines - which take coins and contactless card payments - and displaying a ticket on their dashboard.
The announcement did not go down well on the government's social media accounts, with some asking for a government subsidy on the commission and others saying the government should create its own app instead.
"Forget it I am not paying 10% extra for the 'pleasure' of using this app," wrote one.
Another said, "Get out! I already pay $15.50/day for parking. Now I get to pay a fee for the luxury of paying to park!!? Sheesh! And it's not lost on me that the number of parking meters are reduced so you have to walk for miles to get to them. Well played."
An ACT government spokeswoman said the government had a contract with Duncan Solution to provide the pay marking machines and a phone-based payment option. The end of Parkmobile operations in Australia had forced the shift in providers.
"EasyPark does not have to be used by drivers when parking in ACT government car parks. It is one of the payment options available. Canberrans can still pay at the meter using credit/debit card or cash," the spokeswoman said in a statement.
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EasyPark offers a "saver plan", with a $1.99 per month subscription cost and a 2.25 per cent commission on each parking transaction. Its casual plan - with no ongoing costs - charges a 10 per cent commission.
That means a $19 all-day parking ticket in the government-owned car park off London Circuit would cost $20.90 on the EasyPark app.
A motorist who parks five days a week for 48 weeks a year would pay $5016 a year if they paid the 10 per cent commission, or $4686.48 if they paid for the app's subscription and a reduced commission.
They would pay $4560 in the same period if they bought the ticket directly from the machine.
However, EasyPark allows people to end their sessions early so they only pay for time parked, which could mean some motorists save money.
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
