MOTORISTS can now use their mobile phones to pay parking meter fees in Horsham.

Horsham Rural City Council local laws co-ordinator Maurice Rudolph said people could use the EasyPark system on their smartphones.

He said they could download EasyPark from their phone’s app store, at www.hrcc.vic.gov.au or by calling the EasyPark customer service team on 1300734070.

The EasyPark service covers Horsham parking meters and the Forty Winks carpark.

‘‘Once registered, motorists can then use the EasyPark Smartphone App or call the service number to pay for parking,’’ Mr Rudolph said.

‘‘EasyPark then bills the parking fees to your credit or debit card.

‘‘Paying for your parking by phone is quick and simple and will save you both time and money, because motorists don’t need to go to a meter to feed it and no longer need the correct amount of coins.’’

Mr Rudolph said motorists only paid for the period they were parked.

‘‘This is unlike the coin system, where the next motorist benefits if the previous user has not used the entire time they originally paid for,’’ he said.

‘‘Motorists who use the service will no longer need coins to feed a parking meter or buy a ticket in the Forty Winks carpark.

‘‘Motorists can simply set an initial parking time, the vehicle registration number, and the parking area code – found on signs on the meters and in the Forty Winks car park – and the app will remind them 15 minutes before their time is up.’’

Mr Rudolph said users could choose to receive an SMS reminder before their parking time expired.

‘‘One of the other great features of the app is the ability to extend the parking end-time from wherever you are without needing to return to the vehicle,’’ he said.

‘‘Users can extend up to the maximum allowable time on the parking sign.’’

Parking transaction receipts can be emailed to motorists.

They are stored in the motorist’s EasyPark account and on the EasyPark app.