Drivers forced to use parking apps can pay up to 40% more
Council car parks have switched away from ticket machines to cut costs, leading to extra fees for users Drivers are unwittingly paying up to 40% more to park as more councils switc
By The Guardian
Drivers using a council car park in Chester can pay 40% more when they use a parking app, because of an additional service charge.
The example is given in a report about the growing use of app-only parking across England. Councils have removed some ticket machines to reduce installation and maintenance costs, while apps are also promoted as a quicker way to pay.
At Chester’s Christleton Road car park, two hours of parking costs 50p before the app fee is added. A further 20p charge takes the total to 70p — a 40% increase on the advertised parking rate.
The additional charges vary according to the agreement between each council and its parking operator. They commonly range from 10p to 30p and may not be included in the tariff shown on car park signs.
Some operators can also charge extra for services such as text-message booking confirmations and alerts when paid parking is due to end.
The issue affects drivers beyond Cheshire. In Harrogate, a 30p app charge added to an 80p parking tariff increases the cost by 38%. Other examples cited include extra charges in Lancaster, Birmingham, Lyme Regis and Littlehampton.
Apps may be the only available payment method when a ticket machine is out of order. Drivers are therefore advised to check the final amount shown in the app before confirming payment.