RingGo and Verrus Payment Systems
In 2006, APCOA launched a cashless payment system using mobile phones. This enables customers to pay for their parking without the need to queue at a machine.
Cashless payment is based on the use of mobile phones and is very simple.
Customers register their credit card details and vehicle registration numbers with the system. Then, when they arrive at the station car park, all they have to do is find a space and park. No need to buy a permit, just make their way to their trains and take care of that side of their journeys first. When they have a moment, they can then use their mobile phones to purchase their parking for the day. Payment is entirely secure, and the system can even send out VAT receipts online.
Suppose customers then find that their return journeys have to be delayed, and therefore their cars will be parked for longer than planned? No need to worry about getting a parking ticket, because they can use the new system remotely, to top up their parking from wherever they happen to be.
This new system improves the rail experience for a customer which, in a competitive world, is exactly what they and we need.
Paying Options:
1. Pre- Pay - Customers pre-select the time that they wish to park for and they can also opt (at additional cost) to receive an SMS text message notifying them that their pre-paid time is due to expire and that they must either return to their vehicle or else make a top-up payment.
2. Time Used - Customers activate their parking sessions via a mobile phone call (which effectively starts the clock). When they then want to end their parking session they must remember to make another phone call. Using this system, some operators have implemented per minute or even per second billing for parking, rather than just an hourly tariff, which allows customers to pay for the exact amount of time they have parked.
