Pay your parking fees by mobile phone

The scheme was launched yesterday to allow motorists to pay by debit or credit card by using their mobile phones.

The cashless payment system—RingGo—is already being used by other authorities across the country, including Sheffield and is proving to be a big hit with motorists looking for an easy alternative payment method.

Cllr Richard Russell, Cabinet member for town centres for Rotherham Borough Council, said the new scheme would make it easier for motorists to pay by giving them another option.

He went on: “We have all been there—hunting for change when faced with a parking meter.

“Now thanks to RingGo anyone with a mobile phone and a debit or credit card can sort out their parking fees quickly and easily without having to worry about having the necessary cash.

“And an extra benefit of cashless parking allows motorists to extend their stay at a car park without having to go back to the car park in person and without running the risk of getting a penalty charge notice.”

To use the new system motorists park up in a car park and then dial the local rate number 0114 299 1994. This number will be shown on pay-and-display machines in the car parks where the scheme is available.

Users will need to provide the location code, also shown on signs, their car registration number and the length of time they want to park. Payment will then be taken from their debit or credit card. 

First time users will need to give full details of the payment card they use. However, the next time they use the service they will only need to provide the last four digits, as the state-of-the-art technology is able to identify the mobile phone that is being used.

Using the service costs a flat rate of 20 pence on top of the normal parking tariff.  No parking tickets are issued as Civil Enforcement Officers can check which vehicles have paid using RingGo.

Motorists can also extend their stay by mobile phone without having to go back to the car park and feed the cash machine, and without running the risk of getting a penalty charge notice.

Motorists can also register in advance by visiting the website at www.myRingGo.co.uk—receipts for parking can also be obtained by visiting this website.

Car parks across Rotherham offering this new facility are the Civic, Drummond Street, Wellgate North, Clifton Hall, Douglas Street, Unity Place, Sheffield Road, Riverside, Scala, Fitzwilliam Road, Fitzwilliam Road, York Road and Wellgate multi-storey, as well as all on-street facilities.

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