Council operated parking facilities across the borough are being modernised in line with increased usage of the RingGo cashless service. The vast majority of drivers already pay online to park or can call RingGo instead of needing to find the correct change for a pay and display ticket. The changes will stop theft associated with pay and display machines and reduce the carbon footprint that results from regular visits to collect cash and service the machines.
Moving over to the RingGo service means that motorists will no longer need to find coins, have the correct change, worry about machine faults, incorrectly displayed tickets or returning to their car to extend their stay. Motorists are being encouraged to download the RingGo app from their provider’s store. A smart phone is however not required, customers can also call or text to pay instead.
A programme of works to remove pay and display machines will commence in the coming weeks which will also reduce on-street clutter and free-up the pavement for pedestrian use. RingGo will soon become the only way to pay to park in council operated parking locations on-street and in most car parks. The news that the council is removing the remaining pay and display machines follows confirmation that the SIM cards in the machines will soon stop working as the 3G technology is switched off nationally. The near £1million cost for installing new machines has been ruled out given that the majority already use the alternative payment method.
Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Executive Councillor for Transport, Highways and Road Safety, said: “Most of us, young and old alike are already paying for many goods and services online and parking is no different. Motorists who are not familiar with the RingGo service will soon see guidance displayed on signs throughout the borough with more detailed information on our website and leaflets available in libraries and other public buildings.”
Councillor Bennett continued, “If you have not used the RingGo parking payment service before, then I would encourage you to start today and it’s crucial that you use your mobile provider’s app store to download the official app. Like everything new, it might take a little time to get used to, with thousands of motorists using this service each week in our borough already. There is still a telephone line that motorists can also call to pay for parking this way. You can also use a home phone to pay for parking, even in advance but this does not guarantee a place if all are taken at the chosen location.”
Once registered, the RingGo service can be used in over 3000 cities across 25 countries through the automated phone system, text service or app. Through their secure online account, motorists can review their parking history, edit their details, add or change vehicles and download statements and VAT receipts.
Visit www.bromley.gov.uk/ringgoparkingpayment for further information about paying for parking with RingGo. Full details about the RingGo service are available at: www.myringgo.co.uk/.
The numbers of pay and display machines has been decreasing across the borough for some years now, since 2020, with a number of machines removed last year and some parts of the borough where motorists solely pay to park using a phone.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs on 020 8461 7670 or Andrew.Rogers@Bromley.gov.uk.