News

Cardiff Chooses Metric

Metric's new pay and display machine the Aura is now on the streets of Cardiff. One hundred and thirty seven Metric Auras have been installed by Cardiff Council to replace the former voucher system.

A further 10 Auras will replace existing Metric Accents in Cardiff Bay in what is one of the biggest orders to be placed so far for the Aura.

Cardiff Council's principal engineer Steve Carrel said it was decided to replace the voucher parking sheme with 'more convenient' pay and display machines which would accept coins as well as credit and debit cards.

"It is more convenient for visitors to come along and pay now, rather than have to find a shop which sells the vouchers," said Steve. "This is a far more convenient scheme to use, and people who want all day parking can pay with a card - they don't necessarily need cash."

Contactless Credit Card - Another First For Metric

The world's first pay and display machine featuring the new contactless credit card 'payWave', was demonstarted on the Visa stand at the recent Cartes exhibition stand in Paris.

Expected to be certified and in production later this year, the new 'payWave' card provides exceptional convenience for motorists who want to park as quickly and as easily as possible.

The parking machine exhibited was a special version of the Metric Aura and the company, along with their project parner Cred Call believe the new Visa card will offer a clearly superior alternative to other payment methods.

 Cartes Exhibition Paris.

Metric Pay-On-Foot System For Stoke

Metric's first installation of their new Pay on Foot system in the UK is in Stoke at John street and Meigh Street MSCP. The project was to refurbish both Meigh Street and John Street MSCP in sucession with the MOD Park equipment. This involved a total of eight entry/exit points and six paystations and the provision of DDA compliant equipment was essential at both sites, whixch are capable of being monitored centrally at the Parking and Security Head Ofiice also located in the City. The range of equipment Metric noww have available to the UK market has many features including magnetic and / or bar-code based systems, ANPR, short - long range RFiD, advanced back office features enabling complete remote site access and security control.

 New Pay on Foot Equipment at Stoke.

Another major benefit to our customers is the integration with Metric's ASLAN back office, making this management toool even more powerful. This high specification equipment, is now installed in over 30 countries worldwide including 20 international airports, most mnotably Frankfurt International Airport, the second largest airport in Europe.

Scottish Council Goes Green With Solar Auras

Stirling Council is the first Local Authority in scotland to install solar powered Aura parking machines. The

Council has demonstrated it's 'green' credentials by purchasing a total of 59 solar Metric Auras.

Stirling, which has a total of 120 Metric parking machines on it's streets and in it's car parks, chose the solar Aura because it will have 'less impact' on the environment. Said Road Improvement Manager Brian Roberts, "Green issues are important to the council and we believe that solar is a suitable option for a power supply."

 Metric Aura on street in Stirling.

Metric Accent IS Tops For ESPO

The Metric Accent came out on top for suitability for 24 car parks in East Lincs. An evaluation of three manufacturers was carried out and the Metric Accent was chosen by Boston Borough Council as it was found to be the most competitive. The Metric machines were also chosen for their greater suitability for Boston's current car parking needs. "We are part of an agreement which advises the council's on machines which have been approved," said the council's parking manager Ian Martin.

"As part of the tender process, the machines of Metric and two other manufacturers were tested and the results sent back. Metric's machines came in at the most competitive price and within the framework agreement they were alos the machines that came out on top."

The Easter Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) has eased the way for Boston Council and Lichfield District Council to replace their old equipment with new Metric machines.

 Accent installed in Staniland Car Park, Boston.

"Metric are now seeing the benefits form being sucessful in the ESPO contract, with these two orders hopefully this is just the begining." said Bill Laurie Sales Director.

The ESPO contract allows Local Governement anywhere in the UK to save time and money by fast-tracking the tender process for replacement pay and display equipment.

New Motoloc ML Kerb Hailed A Success In North Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire Council have chosen Metric and their Motoloc range of equipment to help refurbish part of the Town Centre.

The Local Authority are answering the need for better quality and secure parking facilities for motorcycles and bikes in the area by providing new positions for up to fifty bikes.

The new ML Kerb was seen as a well designed and thought-out product which fits unobtrusively into the environment, is easy to use and offers almost zero maintenance by the Authority. In addition to the ML kerbs purchased by the Authority Metric also supplied the Motoloc LA stainless steel anchor rails and nine bright yellow BA10 Ground Anchors.