RingGo helps get Britain moving again

RingGo has been measuring the impact of the ease of lockdown on mobility through its Parking Barometer. With parking near vanishing as people across the country sheltered in place, last week parking across the UK saw a 29% increase in transactions as lockdown measures ease further.

While this is a good sign for many in the industry, and follows the trend of other European countries who are ahead of the UK in relaxing restrictions on movement, it also requires local authorities and parking operators to adapt and prepare for the country to get moving again. 

“As the UK starts moving again, we are happy to see that an increasing number of cities are adopting new ‘touch free’ parking payment solutions. These solutions represent the safe option for consumers and businesses. Together with parking operators, we are working to make using apps instead of parking machines the new norm, doing our part to help keep people healthy,” said Peter O’Driscoll, Managing Director, RingGo.

“However, at RingGo, we are aware of the challenges that come with transitioning to cashless payments, so we are working around the clock to help our partners implement these changes and inform the public of the benefits and ease of use.”

Parking begins again

Over the past few months, RingGo has worked to re-configure thousands of parking zones nationwide to display, via the RingGo app, helpful information about charging for parking, or in a few instances suspended parking. This was aimed at supporting councils and operators, and their customers, by providing instruction, guidance and advice on parking restrictions.

Additionally, RingGo was able to help provide vital information for key workers about provisions made for them in specific areas. As more discussions take place, and the decision to revert parking charges are taken, it will continue to be important to communicate effectively with motorists.

Safer, cleaner payment options

Over the past few months priorities have shifted, and many of RingGo’s partners are now considering new safeguards that will help to protect the wellbeing of parking teams and users. This includes reducing contact touchpoints with customer facing payment machines and reducing the necessity for handling cash and coins. 

RingGo is helping partners to educate and transition to cashless parking through its app, this includes managing the pricing with removal of convenience fees, making phone payments equal to, or cheaper than, cash. Additionally, it is important to provide adequate signage to ensure motorists are aware of payment options. With social distancing still required, this move to contactless payments also helps to reduce the requirement to queue at parking machines. 

Working to improve parking long term

Many RingGo customers and partners have already made significant changes to parking schemes, ushered in by COVID-19, but that will ultimately provide long term benefits, including:

• North Devon Council have promoted the use of RingGo and removed the convenience fee
• Plymouth Council have made parking charges in city centre car parks cashless, with plans to make all the council’s parking machines cash-free by the end of summer 
• Barnsley Council going completely cashless for all parking 
• Redcar and Cleveland Council removing 58 parking machines 

Many other councils including South Hams & West Devon, Lancaster, Tunbridge Wells, Nottingham, Gravesham Borough, Rother District and Medway are all highly encouraging the use of RingGo to keep visitors to the area safe.