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Nearly three-quarters of drivers use mobile apps for payment Parking New research shows that many people are facing significant problems councils Opt to ditch traditional payment machines to save money.
RACThe one who started studying is now calling Parking Operators must ensure that at least two different payment methods are available, and stressed that “no one should be forced” to use the app.
A survey of 1,709 UK drivers indicated that 73 per cent of those who used parking apps in the last year faced problems.
Despite the push towards digital, most respondents preferred bank/contactless cards (46 per cent) or cash (33 per cent), with only 30 per cent favoring apps.
The most common frustrations cited by app users include lack of mobile signal (70 percent), app failing to recognize correctly car park (36 percent), and the application is crashing (35 percent).
About 13 percent of respondents said they couldn’t understand how to use the app, a figure that doubled to 26 percent for those aged 75 and older.
More than a third of drivers (36 percent) who use parking apps have at least three installed on their phones, while 15 percent have four or more.
In May, the government announced the launch of a national parking platform, which aims to enable drivers to pay for parking at all participating car parks using their preferred app.
At the time it said drivers faced “inconsistent parking rules, awkward user experiences and unnecessary barriers.”
RAC Said 10 local authorities, including the city, are using the service councils In Manchester, Liverpool and Coventry.
More people are expected to sign up soon.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at RAC, said: “Mobile apps have an important and growing role when it comes to parking our vehicles, and the best apps make parking an easy task for many of us.
“But our data shows that there are still many drivers frustrated with using them – whether it’s a lack of mobile signal, problems registering a bank card, or the app crashing or behaving strangely.
“All parking operators, whether public or private, must offer at least two different ways for drivers to pay.
“No one should be forced to use a mobile app while parking if they don’t want to, especially those who struggle with technology or don’t have a smartphone.”
Mr Dennis encouraged drivers to make sure they download the latest version of every parking app they use, to reduce the chance of them not working properly.
Recent government figures show English councils made a surplus of £1.2bn from parking in the last financial year.
RAC commissioned research company Online95 to conduct the survey during June and July.