Cashless parking ‘is driving the elderly out of our cities’: councils are accused of leaving drivers who are unable to pay as nearly half use cards or phone app machines.
- Thirteen councils in England and Wales have gone completely cashless
- Over the past 15 months, those who are cashless have collected 257 million in fines
- 158 million raised in areas where all car parking machines take cash
Campaigners have accused councils that after an investigation by The Mail on Sunday forced the elderly and disabled out of city centres, nearly half now use parking machines that do not take coins but instead Instead drivers are required to pay with the phone app or bank card.
Thirteen councils in England and Wales have gone completely cashless, meaning motorists who struggle with technology or do not use mobile phones are unable to pay.
In the past 15 months, councils who are cashless or have limited availability of cash-accepting machines have imposed fines of 257 million.
By comparison, 158 million was raised in areas where all car parking machines take cash.
Carolyn Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: ‘Cash is a mode of payment for many older people, including when they park their car.
Thirteen councils in England and Wales have gone completely cashless, meaning motorists who struggle with technology or don’t use mobile phones are unable to pay (stock image)
‘While no one particularly enjoys throwing coins into a meter, if you don’t have a smartphone or credit card, machines that don’t take cash are of no use, leading to more parks than ever. It becomes difficult to do.
She added: ‘More and more services are running out of cash and as a result millions of older people are being threatened with denial of franchise. We urge every public body to continue serving the people who use cash, so that they do not run out of it.
The analysis of parking machines followed requests under freedom of information regulations for over 330 councils in England and Wales. Around 200 replied.
Craig McKinley, a Tory MP and chairman of the Fair Fuel UK Motorists and Haulers all-party parliamentary group, said: ‘Many people can’t access the maze parking systems that are often only accessible via smartphone and this is certainly the most True for the weak.
‘Why should they be forced online to facilitate councils that are meant to serve residents, not rob them?’
The latest data from communications regulator Ofcom shows that 59 per cent of people aged 65 and over use a smartphone, while more than 90 per cent of those aged 16-54 use a smartphone.
Over the past 15 months, councils that are cashless or have limited availability of cash-accepting machines have fined 257 million (stock image)
Tory MP Greg Smith said: ‘Most of us have smartphones and we are able to use cashless parking apps, but that doesn’t mean everyone can. It is important that the ability to pay for parking in cash continues. Taking this away is taking away the ability for many people, especially the elderly and vulnerable, to go out.
Concerns have also been raised that parking apps cost motorists more as a result of an additional charge of up to 30p per bar.
Service charges are often set by councils and private operators in collaboration with pay-by-phone firms. In most cases, councils do not receive a deduction for the additional fee.
Craig McKinley (above), a Tory MP and chairman of the Fair Fuel UK Motorists and Haulers all-party parliamentary group, said: ‘Many people cannot access the maze parking systems which are often only accessible via smartphone and this Certainly true for the most vulnerable.
Responding to the criticism, some cashless councils said that drivers can access cash by finding designated PayPoints located in nearby shops.
Councilor David Renard, transport spokesman for the local government association, said: ‘The council is on the side of hard-pressed motorists, shoppers and businesses and offers a range of payment methods.
‘Like so many organizations, councils have found the public to be welcoming of the convenience of online technology. But they also pay close attention to the needs of those for whom online payment is not attractive.
He added: ‘Many councils suffer losses on parking services, but where they create surpluses, they need to spend on improving parking and transport facilities.’
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