Photo: RingGo-cashless-parking
Glasgow introduces cashless parking
23 June 2015
by Richard Forster
Motorists in Glasgow will now be able to use their phone to pay for parking in the city. Cashless parking is being introduced across the city centre using phone-parking solution, RingGo, by Cobalt Telephone Technologies.
RingGo, a specialist service provider, used in 225 towns and cities in the UK, allows people to charge parking fees direct to their credit or debit card via their mobile phone. Users can also top up their parking time without returning to their car and have the option of being sent a reminder text message.
“We wanted to provide an up to date payment system for on-street parking, and this system is used successfully by many cities across the UK and abroad,” Councillor Alistair Watson, Glasgow City Council’s Executive Member for Sustainability and Transport, told Cities Today. “The reaction has been very positive and numbers have increased on a daily basis. Since the introduction of the system just 10 days ago we have seen over 2,100 transactions.”
RingGo offers a variety of payment channels. Motorists can register online on a smart phone or by calling direct, the first time they use the service. It will ask for the number plate, make and colour of the vehicle, the parking location, the required time and payment card details. Thereafter, RingGo remembers the details and recalls the information provided.
Parking tickets are not required as parking attendants look up a vehicle’s registration plate on a hand-held device to check that it is registered and has paid to park where it is located. If any part of the vehicle registration plate or location is incorrect, drivers will receive a penalty charge notice.
“The new system offers a quick and easy way to pay for parking. It’s fast, straightforward and convenient,” said Councillor Watson. “I am sure this cashless parking service will be welcomed by everyone who regularly parks in the city. It will also reduce the number of parking machines. We have more than 1,000 pay and display machines and as part of this programme we will see that number fall, as well as associated costs.”
