A NEW parking payment system that works through automatic number plate recognition is being trialled at three of Oxford’s park-and-ride car parks.

It has exceeded expectations with just under ten per cent of customers signing up in the first month.

Oxford Direct Services, which manages the car parks on behalf of Oxford City Council, decided to trial the new technology-based scheme as part of its approach to encouraging participation and compliance with parking, and minimising the issuing of fines.

Caspar Morris, ODS’ parking team leader, said: “ODS is like a social enterprise; we consider the impact of our decisions on the community. This new approach fits in with that ethos of doing good.

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“For people who sign up and register a payment card, this approach completely takes away the risk of being fined and is incredibly convenient.”

Oxford Mail:

The scheme is a fully automated parking payment system that detects when drivers enter and leave the car park, and then charges them automatically.

It is operated for ODS and Oxford City Council by Hozah, which also operates ANPR parking for councils that include Coventry and Croydon.

The trial started on October 24 and is due to continue for a year. All other methods of paying for parking are still on offer, with the aim being to assess which customers prefer at the end of the year.

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There is no need to phone or download an app after signing up via the Hozah website, and once registered you can just drive in and out at any time, with accurate parking receipts issued by email or text.

The service costs 20p extra per transaction.