Drivers forced to use parking apps can pay up to 40% more
Summary
Many councils in England have stopped using parking machines and now require drivers to pay by phone apps, which can add extra fees of up to 40%. These additional charges are often not clearly shown on signs or in the app until near payment, making parking more expensive for drivers.Key Facts
- Several councils in England, including some in London, have removed physical parking machines and switched to app-only payments.
- Parking apps save councils money by avoiding costs of ticket machines but often charge drivers extra service fees.
- Service fees usually range from 10p to 30p and are not included in the prices shown on car park signs.
- Fees are often hidden until the payment step or behind small information buttons in the app.
- These fees can increase parking costs by up to 40%, such as a 30p fee on an 80p parking tariff in Harrogate.
- Some apps also charge extra for text alerts about booking or expiry time, usually 10p to 30p per text.
- The Advertising Standards Authority says all mandatory fees must be included in advertised prices, but fees from app providers may not legally need to be on council signs.
- Different app providers have different fees, making it hard for drivers to know the total cost in advance.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
