Brisbane City Council says motorists will benefit from greater choice with a new pay-by-app parking provider on board for 2026.
The Council is set to expand the city’s pay-by-app system from a sole operator to two operators, with PayStay joining the current pay-by-app provider CellOPark from March next year.
Having multiple digital parking providers gives drivers freedom to choose their preferred app while improving reliability and convenience, said Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner.
“Brisbane is growing and motorists want simpler and more reliable ways to pay for parking,” he said.
“This change delivers more choice, more convenience and better service for drivers.
“With half of all parking payments now made by app, residents clearly prefer faster digital options.”
The Council says more people are already choosing the faster digital option and paying by app, with credit-card meter payments falling 18% since 2020.
Brisbane has led digital parking innovation, with pay-by-app surging since its introduction in 2009 and now accounting for more than half of the city’s 4.5 million annual parking transactions.
CellOPark Australia will remain available at all times during the transition to a second operator to ensure continuity for existing users.
PayStay began operating in 2014 and currently operates at Griffith University campuses in Mt Gravatt, Nathan, Logan and Gold Coast and is also used by councils across NSW and Victoria.
The Council says more digital payments will reduce reliance on meters, which cost about $1.7 million a year to maintain. App-only spaces continue to grow, with 2600 of Brisbane’s 9126 paid spaces already digital-only.
Details on parking zones, fees and approved apps are on Council’s website.
Quotes attributable to Acting Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, Cr Danita Parry:
“Pay-by-app parking means motorists only pay for the minutes they use, rather than overfeeding meters.
“We’re delivering a better, more modern parking experience right across Brisbane.”
