Motorists can pay by phone for parking

The cashless payment system called RingGo is already being used by other authorities, including Sheffield, and according to parking bosses is popular with motorists looking for an easy payment method.

Coun Richard Russell, Rotherham Council's cabinet member for town centres: "We have all been there – hunting for change when faced with a parking meter.

"Now anyone with a mobile phone and a debit or credit card can sort out their parking fees quickly and easily without having to worry about having the necessary cash.

"And an extra benefit of cashless parking allows motorists to extend their stay at a car park without having to go back to the car park in person and without running the risk of getting a ticket."

To use the new system motorists park in a car park and then simply dial a local rate number shown on pay and display machines in the car parks where the scheme is available.

Users will need to provide the location code, also shown on signs, their car registration number and the length of time they want to park. Payment will then be taken from their debit or credit card.

First time users will need to give full details of the payment card they use. However, the next time they use the service they will only need to provide the last four digits because the technology is able to identify the mobile phone that is being used.

Using the service will cost a flat rate of 20p on top of the normal parking tariff. No parking tickets are issued as Civil Enforcement Officers can check which vehicles have paid using RingGo. Motorists can also extend their stay by mobile phone without having to go back to the car park and feed a pay and display machine.