Smart move by council to introduce easy parking app
DERBYSHIRE Dales District Council has already taken a step in the right direction when it comes to making its parking system more accommodating for residents and visitors, by setting up an option to pay on a smartphone app.
The authority has just announced a partnership with leading mobile parking payments firm Paybyphone, which offers cashless parking at all its off-street car parks, including in Ashbourne, and a way to extend parking time without returning to a vehicle. The Paybyphone system, which is already in operation in hundreds of car parks in the UK, means motorists using the firm’s app can opt to receive a reminder text before their parking session expires, and they can choose to either extend their session if they need to, or get back to their car in time to avoid a penalty notice.
The app can also help drivers locate their car, or find other Paybyphone locations.
District council leader
Garry Purdy said: “We are delighted to be working with Paybyphone to make parking easier and more convenient for our residents and visitors to the beautiful Derbyshire Dales.
“Card payments in our car parks have been available for some time, but a real bonus of the new partnership is that people can avoid queuing at payment machines and, should they wish to stay longer than originally planned, the Paybyphone app allows them to extend their parking session via their phones up to the maximum time, without having to worry about rushing back to their cars.”
Full instructions on how to use the Paybyphone system and app, which relies on a smartphone’s data connection, can be found in each car park.