Parking Payment Machine Upgrade Underway

Work has begun to replace payment machines in Market Harborough car parks with state-of-the-art ticketless technology.

The upgrade is aimed at making paying easier and quicker, and although drivers still need to enter their vehicle registration number, they will no longer have to display a ticket.

The new machines offer multiple payment options, including contactless card payments and mobile methods.

One of the new parking machines in the Commons Car Park

Some of the new machines are card-only, while others will continue to accept both cash and cards, and the first of the new terminals have been installed in the Commons Car Park.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of Harborough District Council, spoke to HFM:

One of the new parking machines in the Commons Car Park

The upgrade is needed due to the impending 3G network shutdown, which the previous machines relied on to operate, and car parking officers will use a handheld device to check that parking has been purchased for a vehicle.

Although ticketless, there is still be the option to request a receipt – either electronic or paper – and to take advantage of the parking refund offer provided by Sainsbury’s at the Sainsbury’s car park, a receipt must be obtained at the time of purchasing a parking session.

Payment by phone will continue to be available via the Pay by Phone App or by calling the Pay by Phone number on 0330 400 7275.

The new machines will also be installed in Lutterworth.