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Like Bournemouth and Christchurch before them, Hounslow decided that a trial of RingGo was unnecessary and have signed a five year contract. The first car parks go live today. This first phase involves a rollout to 20 off-street pay & display car parks across Brentford, Feltham, Hounslow, Isleworth and Chiswick, with on-street facilities being progressively added in a second phase during Q1 2007. This will create the largest implementation of mobile phone parking anywhere in London. Helen Kent, the Parking Manager for Hounslow, explains, "We are always looking to improve the service we give motorists. If modern technology can provide greater choice and simplify people's lives, then we should endeavour to offer it. "I was impressed by the whole RingGo package, from the cheap-to-call landline number to the quality of the management information. Being able to extend a parking session remotely is a great idea - especially for anyone whose Christmas shopping is taking longer than expected!" Enforcement of the scheme will initially be undertaken using some of the latest Nokia mobile phones. These devices allow number plates to be checked quickly, and also double up as a communicator so Attendants can stay in touch with base. Integration with the existing handhelds supplied by Civica is being developed as a future means of enforcement. RingGo is the creation of Cobalt Telephone Technologies. Alicia Sabat, their Operations Manager, comments, "We're very pleased to be involved with such a significant rollout in the capital. Time was tight but we know Hounslow to run a very professional department - we have gone from getting the green light to taking payment from a member of the public in only 6 weeks. "Interestingly, as we start this major piece of work, we notice that all our other RingGo implementations are showing increased sales as winter sets in. It seems that most of us would rather pay to park from the warmth of our vehicles, rather than brave the damp and cold conditions outside."
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