With ongoing frustrations around paying for parking, UK drivers want consolidated app choice to avoid payment hassle. Over eight in ten (83%) UK parking app users would prefer just a single app to use across the UK.
This finding comes from new research into parking experiences across the country. A staggering majority (69%) of UK motorists confess to being frustrated downloading a new app or redownloading to pay for parking.
Across work, leisure, errand and family commitments, 82% of UK motorists pay to park at least once a month. However, many of these motorists are left irritated when they park. Fixing the parking experience is critical on a national scale, with over a third (37%) stating that they often have bad experiences with parking applications.
These current frustrations are creating barriers for app uptake and deter people from visiting retail and leisure destinations . This is especially true for senior drivers, with 86% of those aged 55+ directly calling for a ‘one-stop shop’ parking app. To help improve app uptake, and support accessibility of technology, parking providers need to bring more choice in the industry through the Open Market.
An improved industry design with the Open Market would bring more convenience for all, as motorists are realising that parking apps can provide good quality value-added services. Drivers have high expectations for app service delivery, with 49% calling for an option to keep your parking session going automatically before returning to the car. Furthermore, 44% want apps to share live parking space availability data, to help reduce unnecessary circling for free parking bays.
Peter O’Driscoll, Managing Director, RingGo said: “Apps can offer heightened convenience that other payment methods cannot, but research indicates motorists want a simpler cashless experience. On top of this, we’ve had reports of drivers with more than a dozen parking apps on their phones. This is why promoting the Open Market is vital.
“In the parking industry, the Open Market encourages healthy competition between providers and incentivises innovation within parking. It improves the experience for drivers, as they make cashless payment choices based on their personal preferences, whether that be price, quality, or value-added services.
“The future of parking involves increased choice for motorists,whether its via traditional payment machines or through digital channels, the Open Market can provide this in the palm of your hand. As the uptake of digital services increases across the UK, we expect many more local authorities to make the switch to this new parking model.”
