Automated paid parking is in store at all of Hamilton’s major parking lots for the new year, as the city seeks additional revenue.

The ticket and barrier system implemented at City Hall brought in around $46,000 for the month of November, according to Patrick Cooper, the city engineer — while the revenue for Par-la-Ville car park, which has 30 extra spaces, languished at just $19,000.

“We only had about 16 per cent of cars paying in Par-la-Ville; that’s how bad it is,” Mr Cooper told The Royal Gazette. “We had to step in and stop the drag on revenues.”

The city’s financial predicament has often been cited by mayor Charles Gosling as Hamilton seeks new sources of capital.

Not all drivers have taken to the parking lot barriers, which are monitored by cameras and have been damaged several times by drivers seeking to circumvent them.

A more “user-friendly” system is expected for City Hall next month, with a switch from a two-ticket system to one ticket and touch screen equipment.

The City this month approved the budget for tickets and barriers to go up at No 1 Shed, Bulls Head, Elliott Street and Cavendish Road — though the rates will vary.

“It’s a constant challenge finding new revenue — it’s always a balancing act,” Mr Cooper said.