Council trials new card parking payment terminals across the borough to champion digital inclusion

The new system is being introduced on the basis of a six-month trial starting in the new year, after which the council will look at whether it can be expanded across the borough. 

The new terminals will provide a contactless card or phone payment service, allowing users to enter their vehicle registration to validate their session at the correct tariff. It can accommodate 30 minutes free parking sessions at stop and shop locations as well as emissions-based charging.  

 Hounslow Council took the decision to move away from cash payment for parking in 2016 to combat theft and reduce costs. The move to PayByPhone has largely been successful with approximately 35,000 parking sessions booked per week. However, based on resident feedback, it has become clear that a minority of people felt excluded by the new technology. Hounslow Council has listened to this feedback and in order to be digitally inclusive, the Council is now introducing the ability to pay by card as part of the range of cashless parking options available to residents.    

Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Recreation, Public Space and Parking, said:  

Hounslow is a listening council. We know the uptake of the PayByPhone system has been very smooth for the majority of residents. However, there are a small number of residents who've written to us concerned about digital inclusion. This is something we take very seriously, which is why we are launching a trial cashless parking terminal option using card. We are a borough that stands for inclusion and not exclusion.  

Through the trail we encourage users to provide us with feedback and the data we collect will help us to make a balanced and informed decision, always keeping the residents needs as a priority.   

The Council currently uses the PayByPhone system across Council owned car parks. Users can pay via the app or by phone and PayPoint have 200+ retailers across the borough which gives drivers the option to use the service option to pay via cash or card which removes the need to use a phone. PayByPhone will still operate in these locations in addition to paying by card.  

To find out more please visit the Hounslow Council website.   

List of car parks and streets with the cashless terminal options