First Sound launches Parking Payment System for Mobile Phone Users

Once parked in an area that supports Park and Go, motorists will have the option of paying using cash in the traditional way or using their mobile
phones.

Motorists that want to use Park and Go much first pre-register their name, mobile phone number and other relevant details with the centralised database that serves all Park and Go sites. This can be done by post, fax, phone or over the Web. Once registered, paying for parking becomes as simple as dialling into the Park and Go server, stating in which Park and Go area they are parked and stating for how long they wish to park.

Several mobile payment options are available to suit individual customers and parking operators. For example, motorists could pay using a network-based solution such as Vodafone's mPay, a reverse-billed SMS solution, a post-paid monthly account or pay via C3's automated PayOnLine system.

Traffic wardens in Park and Go areas will have on-line access to centralised servers that store payment details and hence be able to tell whether vehicles have exceeded the time period paid for. Parking operators can provide several options for motorists to indicate they have paid using Park
and Go including the use of barcoded stickers that can be scanned by wardens. Motorists could even be sent SMS messages to indicate they are nearing the end of their parking time.

The centralised Pay and Go communications server and database runs on a C3 Apcentia communications system with the main application written in 4Voice, C3's application programming language. The system also supports C3's PayOnLine a payment solution that uses interactive voice response technology.

"Pay and Go will both simplify administration for parking operators and make payment a lot simpler for motorists" said David Larner of First Sound Ltd. " especially fleet owners that need to keep a tight control on costs. There'll be no need to fumble around for loose change; parking payment can now be simple and instant".