Hunting for the right change next to a parking ticket machine becomes a thing of the past in Swindon tomorrow (Tuesday 1 November), when payment by mobile phone is introduced in most car parks.
Drivers will also be able to opt to receive a reminder text message to warn them that their time is about to expire. They will then be able to top up and extend their parking time if necessary from wherever they are, via their phone.
Existing ticket machines and payment methods will be unaffected and will continue to be available to drivers in the same way as now.
The new service will operate in pay and display car parks – it will not operate at Brunel North, Brunel West, or Fleming Way, which are barrier controlled, or at the Oasis. It is being run by Swindon Borough Council in partnership with PayByPhone, who already run similar services in more than 60 towns and cities in the UK.
The mobile phone payment service will cost an extra 10p where the charge is less than £2, and 20p when it is £2 or more, over the standard ticket price. The text reminder option is a further 10p. VAT receipts will be provided free if requested, via text or e-mail.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council deputy leader, said: "We know that good quality and reasonably-priced car parking is vital to the economic success of the town centre, and this is a further investment the council has made on top of our recent reduction of charges in some car parks.
"It will help retailers in the vital pre-Christmas period and beyond. This new service is optional, but we know from other towns where this has been introduced that it has proved popular."
Drivers using the mobile system do not need to display a ticket in their car. Once payment is made the mobile devices carried by the Council's civil enforcement officers are automatically updated, showing them the vehicle registration number and the duration of the parking that has been paid for.
First-time users of the service will need to register their vehicle registration number and payment card details. This can be done with a phone call, by text, online, or by downloading an app for Apple, Android and Blackberry phones. Once registered, payment can be made quickly by any of the same methods in any of the car parks where the service is operating.
Further Information
For full details please see PayByPhone.