Ticketless parking is coming to Hawke’s Bay Airport from April 26, offering a significantly better experience for visitors and travellers.
Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Rob Stratford says smart licence plate recognition technology drives the new system, which will be very easy to use.
“We are very pleased to introduce ticketless parking as part of our ongoing operational improvement programme.
“Under the new system, it will be easier and quicker to enter and exit the carpark. The smart system captures licence plate details on entry, raising the barrier arm automatically. Lost or wet tickets will be a thing of the past, and there will be no more lost ticket fees either.
“On departure, customers enter their car licence plate details at the payment machines, which then calculate the fee. Payment options include cash or card at the payment machines, and Pay Wave at the exits.
“The only thing that carpark users need to remember is their licence plate to pay, everything else is taken care of.”
Licence plate parking systems are becoming commonplace throughout New Zealand. Locally, users of Napier and Hastings city parking will be familiar with the public licence plate parking machines now in use.
The airport will support the introduction of ticketless parking with an extended public information campaign across local newspapers, radio, social media, and signage at the airport. The airport’s ambassador volunteers will also be on hand to assist people if required.
“We realise that coming to the airport is not a weekly task for most people in our region, so we will make sure that as many people as possible are aware of the change to ticketless parking,” says Rob.
“With the new system barrier arms will rise automatically at entry and exit points which will reduce queues. And no longer will drivers have to extend an arm in the pouring rain to collect or insert a ticket. It’s a win:win.”
Current parking fees remain the same: Under 15 mins free, first 30 mins $3, first hour $5, and long term rates are unchanged.
