Motorists parking in East Dorset council-owned car parks no longer have to hunt for change as RingGo cashless parking is offered as an alternative to pay and display parking with coins.
RingGo is an easy to use mobile phone service, enabling residents, shoppers or visitors to pay for their parking by credit or debit card, rather than with cash at a machine.
With phone parking users don’t have to save up change, don’t have to trek to and from the machine and don’t need to put a ticket on their dashboard. Civil Enforcement Officers check which vehicles have paid using internet connected handhelds.
Anyone with an iPhone, an Android, Blackberry 10, Windows or Firefox mobile phone can download and use the RingGo app to register and pay for parking. Alternatively they can call the standard rate telephone number 01202 232 000 (shown on signs), at the time they want to park. To save time they can pre-register in advance either through the apps or at www.myRingGo.co.uk.
When using the service for the first time, people will be asked for information about their vehicle, the four or five digit location code (shown on the sign) and details of their payment card. When using the service again, RingGo recognises the mobile phone number and retrieves the information given, reducing time considerably.
Users can pay with RingGo via the apps, by calling, using a text message or paying on-line. Details of each are given on the myRingGo website. There is a 20p charge to use the system.
Cllr Ian Monks, Leader of East Dorset District Council, said: “As well as being convenient, paying with RingGo reduces the risk of receiving a parking charge notice. If you’re running late or simply need a bit longer in town, there’s no need to worry – just top up your parking wherever you are by using the service again.”
The optional RingGo text reminders also help. These notify the user ten minutes before their parking time is due to run out, leaving time to either extend their stay or return to their car (10p per reminder).
The RingGo cashless parking system is also available in Christchurch council-owned car parks.
