Free-parking deal to expire

Free parking on Sundays and public holidays will be harder to come by next year.

And motorcyclists will have to pay for parking under a scheme to be tested in the coming months.

The Transport Department said yesterday 3,000 more parking meters would operate on Sundays and holidays from next year.

In a response to the Auditor's Report, the department will also charge for another 2,500 free parking spaces in the next five years.

The auditor said the Treasury would generate recurrent revenue of $49 million a year if more meters operated on Sundays and public holidays.

At present, only 2,360, or 15 per cent, of the 15,520 meters operate on holidays.