I just wanted to update you that we are planning to phase out pay & display machines from our car parks, including Meldreth.
More people are opting to pay online, by app or by phone, and the card only machines are increasingly costly to maintain and upgrade, both in terms of hardware and software. We trialled the removal of machines at seven of our station car parks during the last year and no significant issues were raised. We’ve therefore taken the decision to phase them out over the next few months.
Car Park users will be able to pay using one of the alternative methods provided by our car park managers, APCOA. These are:
· On the APCOA Connect website APCOA Connect – Welcome
· On the APCOA Connect app
· By calling 01895 262122
· At ticket vending machines (at car parks without automatic number plate recognition)
We are conscious that this will be a change in routine for those who do use the machines, so are working with APCOA to let customers know in advance via banners/posters, or stickers on the machines.
There is no change for Blue Badge holders – parking remains free.
We’re aiming to start this programme from the week commencing 17 October. The first stage will focus on car parks where there is no automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system. We will then take around four weeks to review the plan, and then the second stage will be at our stations where ANPR is in place.
We will review feedback through the project and will focus on helping people to move to the alternative methods as smoothly as possible.
