Latest news with #PayByPhone
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."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fort Lauderdale warns of more parking QR code scams ahead of holiday weekend
More fraudulent QR codes that appear as legitimate ways to pay for parking in the city of Fort Lauderdale were found at multiple lots and along the beach last weekend, prompting another reminder for residents and visitors to beware ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. The city first issued a public notice about the fake QR codes in November after parking staff found them on PayByPhone signs and parking meters during routine inspections, and others were found the next day. City staff took down the new QR codes that were found last weekend at locations including the Heron Lot, North Beach Lot and multiple locations along the beach to the north of Sunrise Boulevard, spokesperson Christine Portela said Wednesday in a news release. 'As in previous incidents, the stickers displayed counterfeit QR codes, some mimicking the logos of legitimate mobile payment apps, and redirected users to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive banking or personal information,' the statement said. To avoid falling victim to the scam, the city recommends: Only use QR codes that are clearly displayed and printed directly onto official City signage – not a sticker. Pay directly at the parking meter or on the app indicated on the sign. Know that most city parking areas use PayByPhone. Only EV charging stations and the Arts & Science District Garage use the ParkMobile. The City does not use Google Pay QR codes for parking. Report a suspicious QR code by calling the city's Customer Service Line at 954-828-8000, visiting or using the FixItFTL mobile app.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Winnipeg getting rid of city parking meters starting this summer
The City of Winnipeg says it plans to start removing pay stations at on-street parking areas and city-run surface lots this summer. Parking meters will start disappearing July 2, and all city pay stations will be gone by Aug. 31, the city said in a news release Wednesday. Pay stations in private lots will not be affected, and meters will also remain in the Millennium Library parkade. The change comes as Canada's mobile service providers phase out 3G networks, making the current city pay stations inoperable, the release said. The meters have also reached the end of their useful life, use outdated technology and attract theft and vandalism. Replacing the pay stations would cost $3.6 million, the release said. By not getting new ones, the city will save those costs, on top of the roughly $1 million it spends on operating costs every year. People can still pay for on-street parking using PayByPhone, which is available as a mobile app (iOS and Android), online and by phone (1-888-680-7275). PayByPhone accepts debit and credit card payments. Over 80 per cent of all paid parking transactions are currently made through PayByPhone, the city said. PayByPhone lets people pay for and add parking time from anywhere, the city said, encouraging users to download the app now to prepare for the change. People who prefer using cash to pay can still buy prepaid parking booklets (formerly the Scratch N' Park Meter Passes) at the Parking Store at 495 Portage Ave. They can also be paid for with debit or credit cards, the city said. The booklets will also be available to buy by July 2 at one of the city's 311 counters at the Susan A. Thompson Building at 510 Main St. (on the main floor), or at Access St. Boniface at 170 Goulet St.
Global News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Winnipeg parking change ‘shocking and short-sighted,' businesses say
A plan by the City of Winnipeg to remove all 250 parking paystations from downtown and the West End isn't sitting well with everyone. The move — which the city says is due to mobile service providers phasing out 3G technology — is expected to help Winnipeg avoid the $3.6-million cost of upgrading all of the meters, as well as the $1-million annual cost of upkeep. While the city says 80 per cent of payments are now made by using the PayByPhone app — with 90 per cent of total payments made via credit card — a group that represents West End businesses says that's not taking into account the needs of everyone who visits the area. 'I've got business owners who already, when a parking meter isn't close enough, are paying for their customers' parking, because they don't have the app and don't want to be bothered to download the app,' said David Pensato of the Exchange District BIZ. Story continues below advertisement 'Just getting rid of them is a bit shocking and short-sighted.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The city says it intends to begin removing the paystations July 2, with all 250 expected to be gone by the end of August. For those who don't want the app, the city said it will continue to sell prepaid booklets with parking coupons and will have a 1-800 number for people who want to pay by phone but don't want the app. The booklets will only be available at The Parking Store on Portage Avenue, as well as city hall's Susan A. Thompson Building and Access St. Boniface, by July 2. Pensato said the plan isn't considering those who want to make casual, short visits to the downtown. 'The ease of use of parking on the street — if you're just there for a shorter visit — is really important for convenience, for usability,' he said. 'If you're going to outstay your two hours, then you're going to start maybe looking for one of the parking lots. 'But most people are coming down, they're spending two hours … maybe they're going to do another two hours, but they're going to get in their car, move it, go to the next spot in the Exchange … it's crucial.' Story continues below advertisement The decision, Pensato said, is not in line with what businesses had been told in recent years by municipal officials — that there'd be a larger parking strategy for the city that would alleviate some of the problems. 'They were going to keep consulting us on this, and consulting with businesses, and that has never happened.'
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
City to remove parking pay stations, cash no longer an option
Drivers will no longer be able to use cash to immediately pay for parking along streets and in city-operated lots after this summer. The City of Winnipeg said Wednesday it will remove its parking pay stations between July 2 and Aug. 31. Drivers will have to use their phone to pay, either through an app or by calling 1-888-680-7275, or a computer. The PayByPhone service accepts debit and credit card payments. The only remaining option to pay with cash will be buying prepaid parking booklets. Drivers can also use debit or credit cards to purchase the booklets at the Parking Store at 495 Portage Ave. They will also be sold at 311 counters at 510 Main St. and 170 Goulet St. starting July 2. KEN GIGLIOTTI / FREE PRESS FILES The city will remove its parking pay stations between July 2 and Aug. 31. Pay stations in private lots are not affected by the change, and pay stations in the Millennium Library parkade will remain. The city said in a news release that mobile service providers are phasing out 3G networks across Canada, which will make the pay stations inoperable. 'The pay stations have also reached the end of their useful life, use outdated technology, and attract theft and vandalism. The cost to replace the pay stations is $3.6 million,' the release said. The city will save about $1 million in annual operating costs by not replacing the stations. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'This is about meeting people where they are,' Mayor Scott Gillingham said in another news release. 'Most drivers are already using their phones to pay for parking. We're building on that shift and making smart financial decisions that reflect how people interact with city services today. The millions we'll save can be redirected to other city priorities.' More than 80 per cent of all paid parking transactions are made through PayByPhone, the release said, and another 10 per cent are made by credit card. More signs about PayByPhone will be installed as the pay stations are removed, the city said. fpcity@
