This yellow smart card could soon ease parking woes in the City of Hamilton.

By calculating parking to the minute, the Easy Park aims to maximise both motorists' time and money.

The credit card-sized device hangs in a vehicle window, displaying balance and parking zone. Motorists simply punch in the car park or street details and activate the 'on' button.

On their return, they turn off the device and it automatically subtracts the parking charge from their balance.

The unit automatically switches off when pay and display parking ends at 6 p.m., so you won't be overcharged.

The smart card uses RFID microprocessor technology with a battery operated LCD panel.

It will be available from September 1, priced $30-$35, and can be topped up to the value of $65, at gas stations and retail outlets to be announced.

The Corporation of Hamilton unveiled the new parking system yesterday.

The Easy Park will also be available for use at L.F. Wade International Airport.

Gary Edwards, chief financial officer for the Corporation, said: "It is fast and easy to use, and eliminates the need for coins when parking.

"You only pay for the time that the vehicle is parked and it eliminates the need to purchase parking vouchers, therefore providing a green solution."

However he said the Corporation's parking voucher and pay and display systems would continue "for the foreseeable future".

"It will not replace the existing forms of payment but it's just an added service to help people out and make parking more convenient," he said.

The initiative has been launched in partnership with local vendor Agility Ltd.

Norris Ebbin, representing the company, said: "Operating the units is easy and convenient."

He said the Corporation's rates would remain the same but that the smart card was more efficient and saved money due to being calculated to the minute.

Easy Park is designed by PARX Ltd., a subsidiary of On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI).

Sam Manor, President of OTI America, said: "We have over six to seven thousand meters in use around the world.

"The Easy Park system has been well received in every place we have introduced it and we hope to see the same happen in Bermuda, with Agility Ltd. as our representative."

To find out more about Easy Park visit: www.easypark.bm.