The city of Belfast introduced credit card payment today for on-street parking.
While it makes it easier for those short of coins, it could be a double edged
sword - the old excuse to the traffic warden of "sorry I just popped into a shop to get some change" will not work any more.
The new machines were given a pavement launch by the North’s Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson, who dutifully slipped his card into a machine to pay the parking fee on his chauffeur-driven ministerial car.
Mr Robinson said he was delighted that Belfast was the first city in the UK to use the latest card-reading machine technology and provide the very best facilities for customers.
"This initiative will make short stay parking easier for everyone, including those who are short of change, shoppers and foreign visitors to Belfast who have no sterling."
PA