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Following last months' roll-out across the whole of Cornwall, Plymouth City Council today (1 July) becomes the latest south west local authority to implement RingGo phone parking. As with Cornwall, Plymouth is keen to capitalise on cashless parking for the local tourist trade, but in this case, a specially developed version of RingGo makes it particularly attractive to Plymouth's prime market - consisting of weekend and "short stay" visitors. The service has been tailored to suit Plymouth's needs. As well as providing the standard RingGo hourly and daily parking service, the city is offering longer term parking sessions in its car parks, so that motorists can stay for anything from several days, up to a month at a time, through a single RingGo phone call. Previously, visitors in many of the hotels and bed and breakfasts across the city centre, had to visit Plymouth City Council offices to purchase a long term "season" ticket, or return to their vehicle daily, in order to top up their parking. Under the new scheme, they can pay for either their whole stay, or for several days at a time, direct in the car park, whichever they prefer. The extended sessions also provide a solution for UK residents sailing out of Plymouth. Cross-channel ferry users and those sailing locally, can either book a longer term parking session to cover the entire period - or use the standard RingGo service, and top up their parking remotely, if they travel longer than intended. Mike Artherton, Head of Service for Plymouth City Council's parking department comments on the roll out. "We see a number of benefits for both visitors and the Council from introducing RingGo across Plymouth" he says. "The standard cashless service offers all motorists a choice of how to pay for their parking, but with these longer-term sessions, the service really comes into its own." "If someone is visiting Plymouth, we want them to enjoy the experience and leave talking about what a great place it is. Even the slightest negative aspects, such as having to trek back to their car for parking, can have a significant effect on someone's enjoyment of their holiday. So we're very pleased we now have a solution with RingGo that provides a quick and easy answer for everyone." Anne Snelson, Marketing Manager for RingGo agrees: "The driving aim of RingGo has always been to make life simpler, so we're constantly discussing ways to tailor it to what our customers need. In Plymouth's case it's very easy for us to offer a quick add on, offering substantial benefits for their prime trade." "Cashless parking is sometimes perceived as a 'one-size fits all' solution" she continues. "But the Plymouth City Council roll out, as with so many of our other implementations, demonstrates just how flexible RingGo can be." |
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