Latest news with #NationalParkingPlatform
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
New parking rules come into force for millions of drivers in England
The new parking rules have come into force, which will allow drivers to pay for their parking on their preferred app, rather than having to download multiple different payment apps All drivers in England can look forward to a major change that's set to make parking a whole lot easier. The Labour Party government has introduced the new National Parking Platform, which promises to end the scourge of unjust parking fines and offers a single app solution for payment. Labour announced plans to implement the National Parking Platform to allow motorists to use their chosen app for parking payments, rather than juggling several apps. Anthony Eskinazi, founder and president of JustPark, is now a director of the National Parking Platform. He said: "By allowing drivers to choose their preferred parking app, it eliminates unnecessary complexity and makes parking simpler and more convenient. It is ultimately about giving drivers genuine choice over their preferred app. "JustPark is proud to have contributed to shaping the platform's vision, and as a company, we will continue to support its roll-out across the country, led by the British Parking Association." Rod Dennis from the RAC welcomed the initiative, saying: "Paying to park a car should be one of the simplest things any driver does, but things have got much more complicated in recent years - a point demonstrated by the fact there are so many different mobile parking apps. "If the arrival of a National Parking Platform removes that hassle, it's definitely a welcome move. But the key will be ensuring as many car park operators as possible sign up to the system." Labour Party Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. Delighted at the lack of taxpayer burden, she added: "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers." Expanding on infrastructure improvements, Birmingham Live reports that Ms Greenwood said: "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." BPA Chief Executive Andrew Pester also weighed in with enthusiasm for the initiative, saying: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier." In light of their support for the National Parking Platform, he expressed his excitement: "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How did parking meters become so complicated - and expensive?
The frustration of seemingly having to download a different parking app every time you park somewhere new may be coming to an end. Earlier this week, the government announced it was launching a "one app fits all" approach to paying for parking. The National Parking Platform (NPP) has been designed by the government and will now be handed over to the industry to manage. Under the NPP, drivers can use any of the main parking apps in any car park which is signed up to the scheme. This means that if you have the PayByPhone app on your phone, you will be able to use it to pay for a parking spot that uses the JustPark app. The government said this would end the "scramble to download multiple apps and encouraging a more flexible parking experience." The app will only work with organisations that have signed up to the NPP, and the process of bringing each app, business, private car park and local authority on board may take some time. But the government said the trial period with 10 local authorities had been a success with more than half a million transactions handled. According to the RAC, there are more than 30 different parking apps available in the UK. They've seen rapid growth in recent years, with the first apps appearing in Europe in the late 2000s. The first app in the UK was RingGo, but it has since been joined by other big businesses like JustPark and PayByPhone. On top of this, there are numerous small businesses that operate locally. Anthony Eskinazi, the chief executive of JustPark The Times last year that businesses like his were working to make traditional pay and display machines extinct. He said he did not envisage any cash-strapped local authority buying a parking meter "past 2025." For years, customers have found it frustrating being required to download an app in a car park, often with poor signal, only to then be told they need to sign up and wait for multiple pages to load, before they can even pay for their ticket. In a survey carried out by Autocar last year, they found 83% of the 1,387 people who were surveyed said they preferred to use contactless card payments or cash to park, rather than downloading and creating an account for the many different apps used today. The business model varies from company to company, but most apps make money by signing contracts with local authorities or private firms to facilitate parking, then earning a commission on each payment. Most of these apps don't own any assets, their business model is to help landowners make money from their assets by processing payments rather than owning the land themselves. It's a big business, according to The Times, Brits pay almost £2bn a year to park, and if it is done through one of these apps. They are also money earners for cash-strapped councils, with analysis by the AA finding in 2023 local authorities raked in almost £1bn from parking. Some apps also add various fees to the transaction, sometimes called a 'service fee' or a 'convenience fee', but they all mean the same thing. They also sometimes offer parking insurance or extra costs for confirming your booking via text. Some even put adverts or commercial partnerships on their platforms. The days of finding cheap parking for less than £1 an hour are fading quickly. Last year, Direct Line found the average daytime parking hourly rate across the UK had increased by 11% since 2022, while evening parking charges increased by 22% and overnight parking rates rose by an average of 45%. Direct Line found that the ten most expensive places to park per hour were spread across the country. The top three were: Bracknell Forest Council - £6.65 per hour Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - £4.90 per hour Wyre Forest District Council - £4.05 per hour Other places to make the top ten included Blackpool, Glasgow and Brighton. They also said Sandwell in the West Midlands has seen the biggest increase in parking charges in the last two years, with the average day rate increasing by 145%. On top of this, some authorities add extra surcharges via parking apps if the customer is driving a high-emission vehicle, sometimes increasing the total cost by as much as 40%. The apps are able to add the charge far more easily than a cash pay machine because they can instantly identify the vehicle via the required registration input. This all means if a private car park or council has scrapped cash pay machines in favour of an app you could be charged extra for the service fee, extra for the confirmation by text and extra for the emissions made by your vehicle. Although many councils are turning away from traditional pay and display, cash is still king. In March this year, the AA found that two-fifths of drivers say that paying for parking with cash is their number one option, with contactless the second most popular at 28%. Parking by app was the preferred option by just 14% of respondents. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA said: "While it is clear that younger drivers prefer contactless payment options, older and low income drivers want to pay by cash. In fact, some claim they drive on until they can do so. With the High Street already under strain, it seems counterintuitive for car parks to refuse a customer willing to pay. 'Allowing parking to be paid by a multitude of options seems the best solution for both car parks and drivers, but those opting to pay by app should take note that doing so could be more expensive as administration costs are added to the rates.' In 2023, the RAC found people strongly opposed the complete scrapping of payment machines in favour of apps. Some 59% of those surveyed – and 73% of those aged 65 and over – said they feel angry at the idea of physical parking machines being removed as they believe they should be able to pay for parking however they want. A fifth of respondents - and 30% of those aged of 65 - said they felt discriminated against because they can't use mobile apps. The RAC said it was "concerned about the fact some councils seem intent on removing all physical parking ticket machines in favour of app-only payment – something research tells us a clear majority drivers are resolutely against."
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
New national parking app being rolled out in change which could benefit millions of drivers
A new rule change could make life much easier for British drivers in their never-ending scramble for parking spaces. Labour has announced a new National Parking Platform (NPP) so drivers can pay for parking on just one app rather than downloading multiple new ones. The move, which sees the British Parking Association take over the platform, aims to provide a more flexible parking experience at no cost to the taxpayer. Apps like Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone have joined the scheme, allowing drivers to pay for a parking space using their preferred option. Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said she was 'delighted' the scheme is being rolled out. She said: 'This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. 'This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best.' The move will allow drivers to swerve inconsistent parking rules, accidental fines, clunky user experiences on apps and open up parking costs to market competition, the government said. After successful trials in ten local councils, the scheme currently handles more than 500,000 transactions per month. And now the scheme will be rolled out to more local authorities to ensure that 'easier, simpler parking' is available for millions more. The RAC welcomed the move but said it would need car park operators all to agree before it makes a tangible difference to motorists. 'Paying to park a car should be one of the simplest things any driver does, but things have got much more complicated in recent years", RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said. 'If the arrival of a National Parking Platform removes that hassle, it's definitely a welcome move. 'But the key will be ensuring as many car park operators as possible sign up to the system.' The move comes as d rivers across England say they are being sent demands for up to £170 from private parking companies because of faulty machines. Many car parks require users to input their vehicle registration when purchasing a ticket from a machine. But there have been numerous cases of drivers who insist they entered their registration correctly but still received a fine. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the issue as 'a problem that needs to be tackled', while the RAC called for a Government-backed code of conduct to be reintroduced.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines
Keep reading to learn more about how the changes affect you FINE & DANDY Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR parking change is set to kick in for all drivers in England, bringing relief to millions. Labour has backed the introduction of a new app in the near future that will offer motorists an easier way to pay for their parking. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The new platform means motorists won't have to download multiple parking apps Credit: Getty The National Parking Platform will allow drivers to pay for parking through a single app in an industry first. The "one app fits all" platform means you will no longer have to download multiple apps for different operators. It follows successful trials launched by the Government and the British Parking Association, which will now roll out the new platform. The changes are an effort to provide clarity and offer a simpler option to drivers. The Government say the new platform will allow drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, providing a more flexible parking experience. Led by the British Parking Association, it will be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone. At present, drivers face inconsistent rules and barriers when using car parks across the UK. The Government claim the National Parking Platform will remedy this and connect participating car parks to a shared platform. Drivers should then be able to pay using any approved app in a bid to reduce confusion and the chance of fines. Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." The parking sector is set to work with councils to run the new platform on a not-for-profit basis. The Government will maintain oversight of the platform which has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities. The new consortium will now look to onboard more local authorities across the nation. BPA Chief Executive, Andrew Pester, said: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers." The platform is also an effort to crack down on private parking firms Before February, drivers using car parks with camera technology could be fined for failing to pay in the first five minutes of their stay. The change was put in place after Rosey Hudson was charged £1,906 for taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking. Instead of paying in the first five minutes of their stay, Brits now need to pay before leaving the car park. This change applies to all car parks using ANPR technology. However, the rule change will not apply to privately run car parks without camera technology or to sites run by firms who aren't registered with the BPA or IPC. The rules are part of the Private Parking Code of Practice, a voluntary set of guidelines established by the BPA or IPC.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines
A MAJOR parking change is set to kick in for all drivers in England, bringing relief to millions. Labour has backed the introduction of a new app in the near future that will offer motorists an easier way to pay for their parking. 2 The new platform means motorists won't have to download multiple parking apps Credit: Getty The National Parking Platform will allow drivers to pay for The "one app fits all" platform means you will no longer have to download multiple apps for different operators. It follows successful trials launched by the Government and the British Parking Association, which will now roll out the new platform. The changes are an effort to provide clarity and offer a simpler option to drivers. Read more Motors news The Government say the new platform will allow drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, providing a more flexible parking experience. Led by the British Parking Association, it will be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including At present, drivers face inconsistent rules and barriers when using car parks across the UK. The Government claim the National Parking Platform will remedy this and connect participating car parks to a shared platform. Most read in Motors Drivers should then be able to pay using any approved app in a bid to reduce confusion and the chance of fines. Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." The parking sector is set to work with councils to run the new platform on a not-for-profit basis. The Government will maintain oversight of the platform which has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities. The new consortium will now look to onboard more local authorities across the nation. BPA Chief Executive, Andrew Pester, said: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers." The platform is also an effort to crack down on private parking firms Before February, drivers using car parks with camera technology could be fined for failing to pay in the first five minutes of their stay. The change was put in place after for taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking. Instead of paying in the first five minutes of their stay, Brits now need to pay before leaving the car park. This change applies to all car parks using However, the rule change will not apply to privately run car parks without The rules are part of the Private Parking Code of Practice, a voluntary set of guidelines established by the BPA or IPC. 2 In February, rules for parking changed after a huge backlash Credit: Getty
