Pay for parking with "Ring Go" app

Brie

I think it's disgusting that these are being brought in without any alternative for those that don't have smart phones.  And there's no number you can ring if you don't know how to load/use the app.  There's one beside a local job centre with no free parking within a couple of miles - other than 3 blue badge spots which of course are normally being used by someone, blue badge or not.  When I questioned this at the job centre I was told to park at an Asda (where you might get a PCN of course) and then walk the 3/4 of a mile which includes dodging across a dual carriageway.  When I asked further what if my appointment was delayed and I had to leave to move my car I was told that would count as me missing my appointment and I would be penalised by DWP.

Such an imperfect situation in so many ways.

user1977

Brie said:

I think it's disgusting that these are being brought in without any alternative for those that don't have smart phones.  And there's no number you can ring if you don't know how to load/use the app.  There's one beside a local job centre with no free parking within a couple of miles - other than 3 blue badge spots which of course are normally being used by someone, blue badge or not.  When I questioned this at the job centre I was told to park at an Asda (where you might get a PCN of course) and then walk the 3/4 of a mile which includes dodging across a dual carriageway.  When I asked further what if my appointment was delayed and I had to leave to move my car I was told that would count as me missing my appointment and I would be penalised by DWP.

Such an imperfect situation in so many ways.

Though that sounds more of an argument for the Job Centre providing a reasonable adjustment in the form of an alternative to in-person interviews for disabled applicants.

CliveOfIndia

Brie said:

I think it's disgusting that these are being brought in without any alternative for those that don't have smart phones.

I have to agree with you.  I personally know several people who don't have a smart-phone - they are, shall we say, "more senior members of society", but still drive to the shops and for days out etc.

I'm sure one could argue that "there's another car park not far away that doesn't require an app".  But I wonder if - effectively - restricting access to a car park to only those who have a smart-phone would fall foul of any discrimination laws?

facade

Unfortunately smartphones are the future.

I park on a Ringo carpark when I go for Hospital appointments (it is many, many, many times cheaper to park there and walk half a mile than to pay what the Hospital charge). A big advantage of Ringo is I can pay the minimum charge (+20p), and if my appointment is delayed I can top-up (no doubt with another 20p surcharge) the parking whilst sitting in the waiting room.

marlot

I had no signal at a carpark recently, so couldn't pay by phone.

There was no option to pay by card or cash, so I had to leave.  Very annoying.

user1977

CliveOfIndia said:

Brie said:

I think it's disgusting that these are being brought in without any alternative for those that don't have smart phones.

But I wonder if - effectively - restricting access to a car park to only those who have a smart-phone would fall foul of any discrimination laws?

I can't see what protected characteristic it would be discriminating against. 

giraffe69

Even if smartphone use is a. the future and b. money saving for the operator what is not acceptable is playing the guess the app game when you arrive at the spot for parking i.e if it was always Ringgo that wouldn't be perfect but it would be better than guessing which of 5 or 6 apps you needed to pay.

[Deleted User]

MattMattMattUK said:

oldernonethewiser said:

Do you have to use an app or is there a number you can call and pay?

For RingGo you have to use the app.

No website?

Let me guess, your have to register and give them your personal details. Illegal opt out of data sales.

If you must install the app then look into Shelter. It's for Android and isolates dodgy apps so they can't access your data.

user1977

[Deleted User] said:

MattMattMattUK said:

oldernonethewiser said:

Do you have to use an app or is there a number you can call and pay?

For RingGo you have to use the app.

No website?

No, you can use it via their website equally well: https://myringgo.co.uk/

cannugec5

I live in a remote and rural area of Scotland. The forestry commission is soon implementing parking charges for the first time, and many of these use the Ring Go app apparently. However we have no phone signal. We use Wi-Fi calling so don’t make calls out doors. 

I’ve not yet established if we can pay for the parking before we leave the house or how it will pan out. 

Obviously we are not going to be the only ones in this situation so maybe, despite the very public announcement about the proposed changes they will put in coin machines - or drop the charges. 

I really don’t mind paying for parking. I just resent the idea of getting a PCN if we find ourselves unable to pay. 

Could they not produce some kind of swipe card, or accept credit/debit card payments or do these also require a telephone signal?