London’s mobile parking payment revolution continues as Kensington and Chelsea becomes the latest borough to sign up to PayByPhone
Majority of Inner London councils have now rolled out PayByPhone – giving drivers the option of more convenient, mobile payments and bringing the mad dash to top up the meter a thing of the past
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is the latest London borough to adopt PayByPhone as its cashless mobile parking provider, with a trial going live last month. PayByPhone’s mobile payment service has attracted almost two million registered users in the capital and is now in use in seven of the 13 Inner London boroughs, saving motorists mad dashes back to the car or scrabbling for the right change, in hundreds of locations across City of London, Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is initially trialling PayByPhone across 54 different parking locations, including residential areas and around the busy shopping destination of Kensington High Street. Using the location number on the nearest machine, drivers are able to pay for their parking via the PayByPhone app, online or through a straightforward automated phone system.
A key benefit of PayByPhone is that it lets users top up the meter remotely when time is running low. On receipt of an alert on their phone, they can decide whether to return to their vehicle or top up quickly using the app or automated phone service.
Earlier this month, PayByPhone was also unveiled as one of the first apps to be available for the Apple Watch when it is launched in the UK later this year. Soon, PayByPhone users will be able to check time remaining, and top up, with just a few taps to the wrist.
PayByPhone is also already available in many other boroughs across Greater London, including Waltham Forest, Barnet, Newham and Haringey, enabling registered drivers to use the same phone parking service in a wide range of locations across the capital.
Adopting the PayByPhone service also benefits local authorities by enabling them to cut costs associated with maintaining expensive parking equipment such as meters.
Kush Parikh, Global President, PayByPhone, said: “Being selected by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a major milestone as it means that motorists are able to use the same mobile payment service in the majority of Inner London boroughs.
“Our quick and easy to use platform has enabled us to grow to two million users in London. PayByPhone not only saves motorists the hassle and stress of rushing back to their vehicles, but is also one of the world’s leading mobile payment solutions for parking – as seen with our inclusion in the Apple Watch store.”
During the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea trial, existing pay and display machines will remain in use and signs will make it clear which parking bays are using the new system. Comments on the system can be emailed to PbP@rbkc.gov.uk.
