A new parking system implemented in several upmarket Sydney suburbs has been criticised by drivers who say it invades their privacy.
North Sydney City Council has introduced a cashless system that requires drivers to download an app and create an account if they want to park their car.
Drivers have criticised the system since it was introduced in July, claiming it is too complicated as they have to submit private information.
The information required includes your full name, phone number, email, zip code, vehicle registration number and credit card details.
An 8.25 percent surcharge is added to each transaction when drivers pay through the new Touch N Go checkouts or the PayStay app.
2GB presenter Ben Fordham took aim at the system on Wednesday saying it had caused huge confusion as old parking meters were still in use.
“The old parking meters are still there, with garbage bags on top and tape around them,” he said.
‘There are some people who drive up and park and think, well, the parking meters don’t work, so I won’t bother.
A new parking system implemented in several upmarket Sydney suburbs has been criticised by drivers who say it invades their privacy.
‘Then you get back in the car and you find out that you’re supposed to know about this other system where you download the app and give all your data and try to solve the problem.’
Jody, an annoyed listener, wrote to the station and called the pay system a “complete joke.”
He said he had seen one older person struggle to adapt to the new system.
“What happened to anonymously throwing a coin into the meter and going about your day?” he wrote.
‘When did it become so complicated and time-consuming to simply park your car?
“Will this become the norm? Everywhere I’ve parked in Crows Nest there is no physical parking meter, just a sign that says ‘pay by phone’ and directs you to a website.
“When you access the website, it asks you to download an application. When you download it, you must create an account and register.”
Jody was asked to share her name, phone number, email, zip code, license plate, and credit card to use the app.
One local expressed his frustration on social media, saying parking had become an “absolute nightmare”.
“What happened to dropping a few coins in the parking meter? The whole system is a joke, and we are the joke,” he wrote.
Northy Sydney Council launched the new parking system in July, with the
‘North Sydney Council is happy to boast that they are solar-powered and environmentally friendly, but you can’t navigate them – it’s almost impossible.’
Liberal candidate for North Sydney Council Jessica Keen said she also tried to use the new parking system but “couldn’t figure it out”.
‘I was on the council for four years and served on the traffic committee,“I’m very against parking meters and I was also like Jody trying to figure it out,” he said.
Other listeners told Fordham they would not be able to use the system because they do not carry cellphones, while others expressed concern for elderly residents.
A North Sydney Council spokesperson said the council was actively working with residents to address their frustrations.
He said drivers would be able to pay for parking through three options: parking meters, Touch N Go boxes and the PayStay app.
The surcharge only applies when using Touch N Go tills or the PayStay app.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted North Sydney City Council for comment.