DRIVERS can pay for their car parking ticket via mobile phone in Emsworth under a new scheme launched by the council.
The cashless payment system called RingGo will mean motorists will be able to extend their stay in a car park without going back to buy a new ticket.
Customers will have to call a phone number and provide the details of their car, what car park th
ey are in and how long they want to stay.
Assistant parking manager at Havant Borough Council Michelle Green said: "Other councils use the RingGo system and are very pleased with it. In neighbouring Portsmouth thousands of people are using the service each month.
"It makes sense to roll this out across Havant and a customer who uses RingGo on Hayling Island or Waterlooville one day can use it in Portsmouth the next, without having to re-register."
The mobile phone technology allows drivers to park and call the local 023 9298 0098 number displayed on signboards and machines.
They will need to provide the location code, shown on signs, their vehicle details and length of time they want to park. Payment is then taken from their credit or debit card.
First-time users will need to give full credit or debit card details but the next time they use the service they will need to provide only the last four digits, as the technology is able to confirm the identity of the mobile phone that is being used.
Using the service costs a flat-rate of 20p in addition to the normal parking fee. Drivers can still pay by cash in the car parks, but the new system will provide the extra flexibility of paying by phone.
RingGo's central system will hold the registration numbers of vehicles where parking has been paid for.
Using hand-held devices, parking attendants will check on cars without a ticket on display. If the vehicle is listed no penalty will be issued.
If customers encounter any problems, from machines being out of order to receiving a penalty charge notice, they should still contact the council.
The new system will be on offer at the South Street, North Street, and Palmers Road car parks in the town.
RinGo Services
Emsworth: South Street, North Street, Palmers Road
Havant: Tower End House, East Pallant, Elmleigh Road, Prince Georges Street, Civic Centre Road North, Civic Centre Road East, Civic Offices East
Waterlooville: Wellington Way, Rockville Drive
Leigh Park: Tidworth Road, Greywell
Cowplain: Mission Lane
Hayling Island: Elm Grove, Health Centre, Mengham Lane, Eastoke, Bound Lane, Chichester Avenue, Central Beachlands, West Car Park, Ferry Car Park, Royal North and South, Nab Car Park
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The full article contains 517 words and appears in OS-Chichester Observer newspaper.
