SALISBURY — A new license plate reader system in the Circle Avenue Parking Garage in Downtown Salisbury is now live.

The garage shifted to license plate readers for permit holders, while hourly parkers will simply take a ticket. Access in and out of the garage will be regulated by the plate readers.

Billable hours for transient parkers (non-permit) will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the first two hours free. Each hour thereafter is $2. The new system is cashless. Cards and mobile payments will be accepted at the exit.

“Getting in and out of the garage will be quicker and easier for the public,” said Parking Supervisor Jordan Mann. “We are taking advantage of the use of automation to make the process more efficient, while also setting up infrastructure that we can build on in the future.”

Parking permits in the garage are being transferred to an online system — registration, renewal, and payment will be online in the future.

If you are a current permit holder, your license plate has been added to the software and will allow you access into and out of the garage.

If you have an issue exiting the garage, and someone is not physically present, drivers should press the intercom button on the pay station and someone will help you exit remotely.

“If someone is at the exit and does not have a card or mobile payment app to pay to exit the garage then someone can take their information in order to bill them,” said Shawn Yonker, a city spokesman. “However, there would be a processing fee included that would not be insignificant.”

One entrance and one exit to the garage will be open initially, while contractors work to activate the additional entrance and exit lanes.

The city recommends the Flowbird app for street parking. There are kiosks that accept quarters and credit cards.