Drivers are set to benefit from simpler parking nationwide, as
industry delivers a “one app fits all” parking platform at no
cost to the taxpayer, following Government-backed trials.
The Government has today (21 May) confirmed that, following
successful collaboration with the sector, the British Parking
Association will now take forward the development and running of
the National Parking Platform.
The Platform will enable drivers to pay for parking in all
participating car parks on their preferred app – ending the
scramble to download multiple apps, and encouraging a more
flexible parking experience. The Government intervened to make
sure it can be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders
including Ringo, JustPark, and PayByPhone, and led by the British
Parking Association.
Currently, drivers face inconsistent parking rules, clunky user
experiences, and unnecessary barriers to something that should be
simple. The National Parking Platform fixes this, connecting
participating car parks to a shared platform, through which
drivers can pay using any approved app — cutting confusion,
reducing the chance of fines, and opening up the parking market
to fairer competition.
Minister for the Future of Roads, , 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
…
… at a time where we're investing a record £1.6bn through our
Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads which damage
cars, and £4.8bn to deliver new road infrastructure that will
better connect people.”
The new agreement will see the parking sector working with
councils to run the Platform on a not-for-profit basis. It will
operate under clear terms to ensure transparency, sustainability,
and public value. The Government will maintain oversight of the
platform by monitoring the sector's compliance with these terms.
So far, the Platform has been rolled out in 10 local authorities
and now handles over half a million transactions a month. Today's
announcement means drivers nationwide will benefit from a
simpler, more seamless experience.
Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, said: “Today's announcement
marks the result of six years of dedicated work by our parking
sector to make paying for parking easier. We've strongly
supported the National …
… all drivers.” As part of their next steps, the new consortium
will be onboarding more local authorities imminently, to ensure
that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as
soon as possible.
This announcement comes as the Government invests £1.6 billion to
tackle the scourge of potholes, and deliver national renewal
through investment in vital infrastructure that will drive growth
and put more money in working people's pockets, and deliver the
Plan for Change.
