Motorists returning to work in the city centre after the coronavirus pandemic could see parking charges halved thanks to a new smartcard.
Dundee City Council will charge drivers £5 per day to use the multi-storey car parks, if they pay for 20 uses upfront.
The scheme will allow users multiple entries to Olympia, Gellatly Street, Greenmarket and West Bell Street over a 24-hour period.
Prices at Gellatly Street and Greenmarket currently stand at £10.20 for a stay over six hours, which will now be halved for smartcard users.
The local authority said the initiative is aimed at those returning to offices in and around the city centre – although it is open to everyone.
How does it work?
- An online application asks for details before applicants are sent a blank smart card with their vehicle information embedded and a starting balance of zero.
- Before first use it should be presented at one of the pay on foot machines at any of the council’s four multi-storey car parks.
- Here drivers will be asked to top up with an initial £100 of credit. This will buy 20 parking sessions (one per 24-hour period).
- Each day the pass card is used £5 will be deducted from the balance, meaning multiple entries can be made to the car parks within the same 24-hour period.
- The small screen at the entry barrier will display the driver’s remaining balance.
- As the pass card is used, the value remaining decreases until it needs another £100 top up.
‘Major milestone’
In a statement a council spokesman said the move will help tackle pollution when combined with other measures.
“This year will also mark a major milestone in the city’s efforts to improve air quality with the introduction of Dundee’s Low Emission Zone, increased numbers of low or zero emission bus services and improvements to the active travel infrastructure,” he said.
“Taken together with parking options that encourage people to think more about the journeys they make in their vehicle, how long they park for and where the best place is to do that will help the city to achieve a number of its quality of life goals.”
