http://www.parking-net.com/NewsItem-25826.aspx

RingGo launches parking payments for Oxford car parks

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Since 12th May 2008, there has been all change in 10 of Oxford's car parks including Gloucester Green and Worcester Street. The Council is transforming its phone parking service to save drivers time and money.

RingGo, the new system, replaces the pay by phone service which has been on trial for the last 12 months. Oxford drivers no longer need to phone the more expensive 0870 number when they park, but should call 01865 898 900 to pay for their stay. Cash payment continues as an option at all car parks.

This brings the city centre into line with parking at Oxford, Didcot and other First Great Western railway stations, as well as those in Banbury and Bicester, so drivers no longer need to register with two different payment services when parking locally.

Leaflets will be given to regular pay by phone users to explain the changes; new signs and posters are in place at all car parks; and further information is available on Oxford City Council's website. Drivers who used the old system should register with RingGo using the number above to make sure they continue to pay for parking by phone.

Andrew Bradfield-Barnes, Oxford City Council's Parking Manager says: "Introducing RingGo is good news for local motorists who park using their phone in Oxford. Calls to the new service are cheaper and the same system is now offered in more than 40 car parks in the county. We would ask drivers to read notices and leaflets carefully to make sure the changeover is as smooth as possible, and that they start to see the benefits quickly."
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idb wrote on May 19^th, 2008 at 2:17pm:

RingGo, the new system, replaces the pay by phone service which has been on trial for the last 12 months. Oxford drivers no longer need to phone the more expensive 0870 number when they park, but should call 01865 898 900 to pay for their stay. Cash payment continues as an option at all car parks. >>

The above is good news but I wonder when Westminster City Council will get the message about their on street parking bays where parking can only be paid for by dialling an 0870 phone number. :o >:( :'(

Oxford City Council has abandoned it previous service provider, Verrus which operates parking systems in other towns and cities. It works via a 0870 number, and there is a thread in the Requests section here. The new system, known as "RingGo" uses a conventional Oxford telephone number.

See: http://www.oxford.gov.uk/transport/RingGo.cfm

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RingGo - Pay for Parking by Phone

From Monday 12 May 2008, pay by phone parking in Oxford will change. The new service will be provided under the RingGo brand.

Owing to this change, motorists who are registered with the existing "Park and Pay by Phone" service and, who are not already registered with RingGo, will need to take a few moments to re-register.

While registered Verrus park and pay users will no longer be able to use the system in Oxford from 12th May they will still be able to use the service in other towns and cities which are part of the scheme. Visit the Verrus website for more details.  

What is RingGo?

RingGo is a quick, easy to use mobile phone service, allowing you to pay for your parking with a credit or debit card, rather than using cash at a machine.  When you park your car in a car park which features the RingGo service, you can simply dial the local rate number shown on nearby signs and pay for your parking over the phone.

With RingGo:

   * You no longer need to carry change,
   * You don't have to visit a parking meter (great when it's wet or late at night), &
   * You don't need to walk back with a parking ticket - Parking Attendants check which vehicles are parked with RingGo via their handheld units.

RingGo users can also top up their parking when they're away from their vehicle.  So if you get held up or delayed, simply ring the RingGo number again from your "dialed numbers", top up remotely and avoid a fine.

In Oxford car parks, the local rate number to ring for RingGo is 01865 989 000.
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Further investigation reveals that RingGo is a private service provider which operates parking payment services for other councils and they all provide geographical numbers for their respective areas!

For the full list see here.

Dave wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 4:44pm:

Further investigation reveals that RingGo is a private service provider which operates parking payment services for other councils and they all provide geographical numbers for their respective areas!

Whatever next - surely not a UK parking company with a conscience.  Perhaps the 084/7 worm finally is beginning to turn? :-/

NGMsGhost wrote on Jun 7^th, 2008 at 11:29am:

idb wrote on May 19th, 2008 at 2:17pm: RingGo, the new system, replaces the pay by phone service which has been on trial for the last 12 months. Oxford drivers no longer need to phone the more expensive 0870 number when they park, but should call 01865 898 900 to pay for their stay. Cash payment continues as an option at all car parks. >> The above is good news but I wonder when Westminster City Council will get the message about their on street parking bays where parking can only be paid for by dialling an 0870 phone number. :o >:( :'(

Westminster C C now use an 020 number or a regular mobile number for texts,https://verrus.com/westminster/howitworks.aspx

Source: York Press

http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4567602.Parking_gets_mobile/

City of York Council’s “pay-by-phone” car parking technology has new number - 01904 279279


No need for me to quote the rest of the article because the headline says it all. The system is operated by Verrus and currently uses a 0870 number:

http://www.york.gov.uk/transport/Parking/Car_parks/marygate_cp/

Source: Sheffield Star

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Drivers-can-phone-to-pay.6000900.jp

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Drivers can phone to pay

MOTORISTS in Sheffield are to benefit from a new system which allows people to pay for their parking over the phone.

The cashless payment system has been introduced at all Sheffield Council car parks and on-street parking sites to try to end the days of drivers arriving at meters only to find they have no change in their pockets.

The new system - 'RingGo' - allows drivers to simply dial a number to pay with a debit or credit card when they park up.

[…]

To use the system drivers can call 0114 299 1994 when they park up. Users will need to provide the location code shown on signs, their car registration number and the length of time they want to park. Payment will then be taken from their card.

[…]

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I used Ringo in Tunbridge Wells, NEVER again total nightmare...

Will use coins next time!