The current car parking payment system at Gisborne Airport is going the way of the five cent coin, and being retired from service.
Next week, the old system will be decommissioned and replaced with a new state-of-the-art SKIDATA system.
“The current system was introduced in 2006 and is now out of date, having reached the end of its working life,” said Gisborne Airport Manager Murray Bell.
“I’m sure that travellers will find our new SKIDATA system easier and more convenient. It’s used at airports across New Zealand, including Auckland International, Hamilton, Tauranga, Nelson and Queenstown. It’s also used at a number of Wilson parking facilities throughout the country.
“We’re installing two payment machines at the airport, so people have more choice about where and how they pay for their parking.”
One will be located inside the terminal building, in the same spot as the current payment machine. It will accept both old and new 2016-issued notes, as well as coins, credit cards and EFTPOS cards. It also has a handy ‘Tap and Go’ option.
A second machine (card only) will be located outside the building in the baggage claim area. This will accept credit cards and EFTPOS cards, along with the ‘Tap and Go’ function.
The paper tickets that are issued at the moment will be replaced by a card-style ticket.
The rest of the parking system will continue to operate as it does now, and car parking charges will stay the same.
“We’re aiming to keep disruption to a minimum during the changeover period, and would like to thank all airport users for their patience while we get the new system up and running,” added Mr Bell.
A bonus for everyone flying out of the airport: parking will be free of charge from today until midnight on 3 April, while the new system is being installed and tested.
Gisborne Airport car park equipment upgrade key dates:
Wednesday 22 March: Preparatory work commenced.
Wednesday 22 March to Friday 24 March: The old car park system is decommissioned; equipment progressively removed.
Monday 27 March: The new system’s installation commences.
Thursday 30 March to Friday 31 March: Testing of the new system takes place. Entry arms down and operational.
From Tuesday 4 April: The new system is expected to be operational, and car park charges will resume.