Forum Topic

Another Parking Stichup

While parking in Chiswick I chose to use the Ringo pay by phone service I was charged £1.40 for half an hour. I then noticed that had I paid in cash it would have cost £1 for the same half hour. I wonder if any of our Councillors can explain how it is cheaper to collect cash from machines than it is to be paid by card or do they believe that a 40% service charge is fair.

Robert Ayres ● 3216d5 Comments

PaulWe did!We wanted to expand the scheme but were rebuffed and costs were cited by the labour lead member Chiswick high road nets LBH millions in PCN income. Locals deserve  a breakJohn

John Todd ● 3214d

"Some of our Councillors won a 'first 30 minutes for free', shame this cannot be applied to all meters across the Borough."It was the ICG who installed this in the Isleworth and Syon Wards when they held the six seats and it always puzzled me why the councillors in the other 18 Wards never insisted on having the same

Paul Fisher ● 3214d

Some of our Councillors won a 'first 30 minutes for free', shame this cannot be applied to all meters across the Borough.

Sarah Felstead ● 3215d

You have a point regarding the additional charge especially when your only paying £1 for half an hour. However part of the additional charge is If you opt in for text messaging confirming the transaction (it costs you 10p more for confirmation text and 10p reminder text) but if you pay  for 2 hours the additional cost is still the same. I find the pay as you go a far better system than hunting around for change, putting money in the machine to find its broken, not having to pay extra because I don't have the exact change, not having to return to my car to pay for additional time needed ( where allowed)  and as a workman working around London I find it especially helpful when in the likes of Chelsea Fulham and paying prices of £4.60 per hour ( £18 in coins for 4 hours )At the end of the day you can (currently)choose to pay the money into the machine and not use the more convenient pay and go system.

Warrick Chamberlain ● 3215d

A complete rip off and widely covered by TV recently. It is nothing more than a scam cooked up between cash strapped local authorities to get round regulations.It is a breach that is supposed to be dealt with by trading standards but they seem reluctant to take action again their own employers.It is recommended that this is reported to consumer watchdogs and local MPs to enforce legislation that apparently already exists, although it was a bit vague on Rip off Britain. So maybe someone else knows more.

Raymond Havelock ● 3215d