The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a plan for a national roll out of a ‘one app fits all’ parking payment platform.
It said the British Parking Association (BPA) will develop the National Parking Platform (NPP), which will enable drivers to pay in all participating car parks through their preferred app. A consortium of app providers including Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone will be involved in the project.
This follows continued complaints over the need to hold multiple apps to pay in different car parks, including those run by local authorities.
DfT indicated that the parking sector will work with councils to run the platform on a not-for-profit basis, operating terms to ensure transparency, sustainability and public value, while the Government will maintain oversight. It will be available for use around the UK.
Simplicity and flexibility
Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood 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 is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers.
“This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we’re investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people.”
DfT indicated its intention to develop the NPP in 2021, since when it has been used in pilots by 10 local authorities to handle over 500,000 transactions per month. The consortium will now begin to onboard more.
