Paying for parking using mobile apps

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Fri 14 Sep 2018 22:41
Paying for parking using mobile apps - Warning

I recently paid for street car parking. They had the option to pay by smartphone. I decided to have a go.

I arrived at 6pm, but it was going to be free parking after 6.30pm. So I only needed to pay for 30minites, except their minimum charge was for one hour, so I had to pay £2. Plus they added on a 15p a service cahrge, which I presume is for the mobile operator.

In this modern age, why can't people pay 'exactly' for time they use? Is it right councils cheat motorists in this manner?

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Fri 14 Sep 2018 22:41
Paying for parking using mobile apps - mss1tw

In this modern age, why can't people pay 'exactly' for time they use? Is it right councils cheat motorists in this manner?

I'd say it's more of a duty than a cheat

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Fri 14 Sep 2018 23:28
Paying for parking using mobile apps - Smileyman

Totally agree, of course it could be possible but there is no incentive for the software to be written to permit such. (I can't recall, do mobile and fixed line telephone companies charge for calls per second or per minute / part thereof?)

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Sat 15 Sep 2018 09:54
Paying for parking using mobile apps - Bromptonaut

Totally agree, of course it could be possible but there is no incentive for the software to be written to permit such. (I can't recall, do mobile and fixed line telephone companies charge for calls per second or per minute / part thereof?)

Per second billing is pretty well universal in telecoms but some operators make a 'setup' charge per call.

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Sat 15 Sep 2018 16:02
Paying for parking using mobile apps - johnnyrev
I’ve been really impressed when using the app to pay for parking. I don’t need to worry about having change. The app will tell you how much time you have left and let you pay for more time if you need it. Plus, if you leave before your paid for time expires it will refund you- albeit in hourly increments.

On the subject of car parks, there is a privately owned car park adjacent to a local church (not mine) where it is well known (and related to me by their vicar) that a ticket inspector only visits every other Friday, so that is the only time people pay for parking. Even a visiting Bishop didn’t buy a ticket!
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