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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Parking apps

67 replies

mjf981 · 10/09/2023 04:42

I'll preface this by saying I live in Sydney, so maybe this is 'normal' elsewhere.

However, I've been 2 places in the past few weeks (Leichardt and the Blue Mountains) that now require you to download an app to pay for parking. Different apps. So rather than just depositing a few dollars in machine or even just paying via tap and go, I've had to stuff around for 5 mins figuring out how to download the app, upload my information just to pay for an hours parking. So frustrating and a waste of time. I'm praying this doesn't become the norm, or if it does, all places use the same app! AIBU to fear that all councils are going to jump on board with this in the next few years?

OP posts:

AnxiousPangolin · 10/09/2023 09:24

Those who are complaining about being charged a fee to use the app, are you quite sure that it’s not the charge applied to text you an alert when your stay is nearly ended? If so, you can opt out of that.

I’m not aware of any app which charges a fee on top of parking simply to use the app.

I don’t mind the apps generally, though it’s annoying there are so many of them.

msbevvy · 10/09/2023 09:37

I am disabled and rely on my car to get around most places. I only have a cheap smartphone and can't download parking apps as I have no more room on the phone for any new apps. I can't even update some of those I already have because of lack of storage space.

I also live in an area where it isn't advisable to have your phone out in public. Vulnerable people, especially elderly women are robbed on a regular basis.

I am very fortunate to have a blue badge which has allowed me to avoid needing to use one of these apps so far.
Except when some lovely person broke into my car and stole the badge and I was unable to go out and about and even had to cancel hospital appointments. Under the old system I would have been able to Pay and Display using cash.

RampantIvy · 10/09/2023 09:41

Are you able to buy an SD card to increase your phone storage capacity @msbevvy?

msbevvy · 10/09/2023 10:23

RampantIvy · 10/09/2023 09:41

Are you able to buy an SD card to increase your phone storage capacity @msbevvy?

Thanks for the suggestion but I already have one and that's full. There are so many health and shopping apps that I have no choice in using.

SerendipityJane · 10/09/2023 10:30

What folk really need is an app of apps that (guided by GPS) knows when you are in a car park and calls up the appropriate app for parking in that location.

We needed it about 10 years ago, when it was noted it in my "future challenges" report. People who think we are somehow "progressing" would be embarrassed to see how little has actually happened. (Especially the "social issues" section.)

KatieB55 · 10/09/2023 10:41

I find it really annoying to download an app, then put in bank card, make payment, then verify payment on banking app. I missed a train trying to do this in a car park that had a really bad phone signal & internet was very slow.
Not everyone has a smart phone not wants one.

KimberleyClark · 10/09/2023 10:45

SortOfMaybe · 10/09/2023 08:44

The carparks I've visited recently in more rural areas have all had the option to pay within 24 or 48 hours. So it doesn't matter if there's no signal where you are, or if you have no smart phone, as you can take the details and pay when you get somewhere with WiFi or back to your computer. I think that's better as it's trying to be more accessible. Not perfect, but better.

At least one NCP car park in my city centre is just drive out and pay online later. I think that’s a good system. They have your car number so you won’t get away with not paying. Apart from that my city does not appear to be using apps yet. Parking machines by the side of the road or in pay and display car parks, or take ticket and pay on foot before you return to your car.

LakieLady · 10/09/2023 10:50

I don't mind RingGo, which is used in my area, but the one they have in Brighton is a pain in the arse. It stopped recognising my account, so I removed the app and tried reinstalling it, but it still won't work. It seems to be impossible to talk to a human. Thankfully, I haven't had to go to Brighton for work since the pandemic, but it's inevitable I'll have to go sooner or later.

My town has loads of areas where mobile signal is poor or non-existent, so they all take card payments as well, and a lot of them still take actual cash. And the people you ring if you have an issue are really helpful. A few weeks ago, I had to park where there was no signal and couldn't input my reg number, as there's a Y in it and the Y button wasn't working. I rang them, and was allowed to park for free.

SerendipityJane · 10/09/2023 10:52

I find it really annoying to download an app, then put in bank card, make payment, then verify payment on banking app.

To be fair, a decently written app will integrate with Google Wallet/Apple Pay. Although I must admit most parking apps I've see are shit.

I missed a train trying to do this in a car park that had a really bad phone signal & internet was very slow.

I refer you to my note about decent apps.

Not everyone has a smart phone not wants one.

Not really sure what that has to do with the price of fish ? 50 years ago I had friends whose parents would have said "not everyone has a telephone or needs one". Their brave stance against progress only ensured their kids missed out.

Milkand2sugarsplease · 10/09/2023 13:33

@AnxiousPangolin defo a "fee". I can pay even more to be texted if I want to too:..

TerfTalking · 10/09/2023 14:30

RampantIvy · 10/09/2023 07:17

Is there not an option to top up without going back to the car?

Show quote history

Do you know, you could be right, I think there is an “extend your stay”! Pick an extra two hours or whatever and pay again.

I am still irritated by it though - probably my age lol.

I don’t mind an App, just want the same one that is as cheap and user friendly as possible. 😉

BibbleandSqwauk · 10/09/2023 14:34

@TerfTalking but you can top up on the app so you don't have to return to the car. That's the main attraction of them for me. I downloaded the main 2or 3 onto my phone and my parents' and set up all the reg details and payment card etc in advance so that needs doing on the day is to input code and time. Annoying when it's a random one off app that doesn't work well but mostly it's RingGo or PaybyPhone

Willmafrockfit · 10/09/2023 14:35

a friend of my dm in her 80s no longer drives to the big town due to not having a smart phone and therefore no app. she has to take the bus.
ridiculous.

RampantIvy · 10/09/2023 14:57

I agree that the way modern technology is used to isolate people who don't have the means to use it is depressing - people who don't have modern smartphones, vulnerable people who don't understand how to use modern technolgy, children who can't spend their pocket money in shops that refuse to handle cash etc.

This isn't just about parking apps, but a general opinion.

Re parking apps - why are there so many different ones? I once got caught out somewhere that only used a parking app, and couldn't download it and ended up with a fine, which I challenged unsuccessfully. So when I got home I googled the most popular apps and downloaded them into a folder on my phone, but I still don't understand why pay and dispaly meters can't accept card payments as well as apps and cash. It doesn't make sense.

AnxiousPangolin · 10/09/2023 15:53

Milkand2sugarsplease · 10/09/2023 13:33

@AnxiousPangolin defo a "fee". I can pay even more to be texted if I want to too:..

Interesting. What app is that? I’ve never seen an additional fee before!

AnxiousPangolin · 10/09/2023 15:56

AnxiousPangolin · 10/09/2023 15:53

Interesting. What app is that? I’ve never seen an additional fee before!

Show quote history

I’ve just googled and it appears to be Ring Go.

https://moneytothemasses.com/news/car-parking-apps-how-to-avoid-extra-charges

I stand corrected, I didn’t know they did this. I use it now and again locally and as the cost matched the council’s signage, I didn’t pick up on it.

Car parking apps - how to avoid extra charges - Money To The Masses

We explain how car parking apps work. We also explain how to find out the fees you will be charged as well as how you can avoid them.

https://moneytothemasses.com/news/car-parking-apps-how-to-avoid-extra-charges

Milkand2sugarsplease · 10/09/2023 15:56

@AnxiousPangolin it's MiPermit app. It's not like it's a massive extra fee but when it's all the time it started to add up and just seems a little unnecessary really.

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