Go 'mobile' and pay for parking the smart way in the Royal Borough

Following a successful trial, a cashless parking system offered by the Royal Borough since October 2010 is being extended and improved.

The Parkmobile service offers residents and visitors a more convenient way of paying for their parking by using their mobile phones. As well as getting rid of the need to carry change, this smart way of paying means residents no longer need to display a parking ticket.

Residents, once they have registered via www.parkmobile.co.uk, can pay by calling 020 3003 2526 or by downloading and using one of the Parkmobile smartphone apps. The apps are available for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows handsets.

Parkmobile is already offered in the Stafferton Way, Maidenhead, and River Street, Windsor, car parks and will be available for council-operated car parks and on-street parking from Monday 15 April.

The extension of Parkmobile comes as the introductory offer of discounted parking at Nicholsons car park, brought in following the implementation of the pay-on-exit system, comes to an end for non-residents. As part of the council's commitment to providing discounted parking for its residents, customers will need to use their Advantage Card at Nicholsons to continue to enjoy reduced-cost parking. However, unlike previously where all Advantage Card holders could only pay by cash at Nicholsons, with effect from 15 April they can also pay by credit or debit card or online.

Cllr Carwyn Cox, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "The extension of Parkmobile provides residents with even greater choice of how they can pay at car parks across the Royal Borough. Residents want simple and convenient ways to pay for their parking so that is what we are providing."

Parkmobile has already been used more than 70,000 times as part of the Stafferton Way and River Street pilot. It is also used by other local authorities including Oxford City Council, the London Borough of Richmond and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Mike Walker, president of the Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "The key to parking is convenience. I have registered all our vehicles, and the convenience of being able to pop in and out without worrying about change or how many minutes are left has made a big difference."

Full details of how Parkmobile works, including details on how to register, can be found at www.parkmobile.co.uk More information on parking in the Royal Borough can be found at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/parking_index.htm

Getting an Advantage Card, which entitles you to over 170 discounts including parking, is easy. Take proof of ID and address to the customer service centre at Maidenhead Town Hall or the Magnet, Windsor, Charters or Cox Green Leisure Centre.