The modernized machines will not issue a physical receipt but will send it to an e-mail address or it will be possible to receive it on the phone. In addition, the ticket will no longer have to be placed behind the windscreen of the car. The new arrangements will be introduced in January next year, he said.
The current parking payment system of "Rīgas Satiksme" will end on December 30.
It is planned that from January next year, it will be more convenient to pay for parking. All payment machines will allow the customer to select the zone for which he/she is paying. For example, if you leave your car in Zone C, you can also pay for it in Zone B. All-day parking will also be simplified.
Pay machines will no longer issue physical receipts - customers will be able to receive them electronically. Parking controls will also be electronic - there will be no need to leave a receipt behind the windscreen. Simply entering the car number into the pay machine will be sufficient. Controllers will check payment electronically.
The new system will cost Rīgas Satiksme around €1 million. Board member Jānis Golubevs said that parking prices would not be raised.
"We will not raise prices. We do not plan to ask Riga City Council for additional funds either. The parking spaces will pay for themselves," says Golubev.
He explains that last year the profit from parking spaces was EUR 5 million. This money was channeled into Rīga's public transport. The company will therefore be able to cover the costs of the new charging system with this profit.