We do need to move on...during Covid Preston shopping centre car park moved away from parking tokens (handled by everyone) to number plate recognition on entry and no cash payment but debit or credit card touch payment system....reducing dramatically any surface contacts. A bit of a pain if you don't have a debit./credit card as you cant park, but a massive improvement in public health awareness/precautions, for when the next pandemic strikes.
I think the 'Rushden' model is best - all five carparks in the centre and on the retail park are free.
Most carparks these days have a 'Pay by App' facility - I have at least five different ones on my phone. I find them useful as I often never know how long I'm going to be parking for so have the facility to 'top up' while away from the car rather than having to go back to the carpark and stick more money in.
I have had several problems in the Mog with numberplate recognition car parks - the b/w plate on the front wing confuses the system and I either can't get in, or out!
