Buckinghamshire Council starts roll-out of National Parking Platform across county

A new initiative providing customers with more flexibility in paying for their parking is being rolled out across Buckinghamshire. 

Buckinghamshire Council started rolling out the National Parking Platform (NPP) at all its car parks and on-street chargeable locations from Tuesday, July 1.

This follows a successful trial last summer which took place in car parks in Marlow, Bourne End, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough.

The NPP gives customers the flexibility to choose which supplier they purchase their parking time through.

Until now, only one digital supplier, RingGo, has been available to customers.

But through NPP, the choice will extend to include other suppliers such as PaybyPhone, JustPark, and Appparking.

Each supplier has its own app and fees.

Some suppliers also have a telephone number so customers can choose the option that best suits them.

With different suppliers offering different convenience fees across one area, the move forces them to be competitive in their pricing. 

The initiative supports Buckinghamshire Council’s ambitions, highlighted in its parking strategy.

Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet Member for communities, said: “We recognise that driver behaviour, demand for parking, and how customers choose to pay for their parking, has significantly changed in recent years.

“It is important that we adapt to reflect these changes.

"Using the NPP puts drivers in control of what they pay for their parking and helps to drive down the costs which is good news for everyone.”

Existing payment machines in car parks will remain in use as normal, providing a non-digital method of payment.

The roll-out will take place throughout July and will be complete by the end of the month.

For more information about the NPP, visit: https://npp.org.uk/

To find out more about Buckinghamshire Council car parks, visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking