Cash Keeps Railway Car Parks on Track

One of Britain’s busiest rail companies has halted the rollout of a cashless car parking app following public backlash against the removal of payment choice.

Southeastern—which serves London, Kent and parts of East Sussex—announced in early August that 45 of its car parks would become cashless, with a smartphone app becoming the only way to pay for parking. The system would have replaced the present cash or card options, and been enforced in most areas by cameras that automatically read number plates to administer fines for nonpayment or overstays.

Within weeks, the company announced the changes were ‘paused… while we put measures in place to ensure a broad range of options to help everyone continue to pay for their parking.’ This is likely to include a cash payment option, though it is currently unclear whether cards will remain usable.

The Telegraph’s Transport Correspondent Gareth Corfield points out that ‘many people, including the elderly, prefer to avoid complex modern technology where possible’. This may be down to difficulties using it, and anxiety arising from uncertainty over whether a payment has been made correctly. Other common concerns are the privacy and security implications of downloading an app that records details such as name, payment details, car registration and location.

For those prepared to make app payments, there may be internet connection issues that make paying a challenge, meaning cash is a welcome backup option. ‘Convenience fees’ are also typically added to app-based transactions, which may incentivise those on a tight budget to use cash.