Car parking with Ringgo / APCOA Connect

[whole diary]

[Phil]

Hasn't yet changed, so they'll be fine.

Might help to read the whole thread before posting? due on next Monday.

So, I've registered with the new service. Any idea what number I need to phone on Monday morning to park my newly registered vehicle?

It appears to be "as easy as 1-2-3" but presumably the actual phone number will be a fair bit longer than that.

Less than 7 days to go now and still no number quoted (I just checked)

http://www.apcoa.co.uk/connect

[clevedonian]

Details

Phone Number: 08451 228 008

SMS Number: 68680

http://www.apcoaconnect.com/locations.php

[Chris2]

08451 228008

Is the phone number I found on the website.

[Phil]

An 0845 number? From a mobile?

[clevedonian]

just tried it, works ok from my mobile.

[JayMac]

just tried it, works ok from my mobile.

I think Phil was more concerned about the cost of the call, rather than whether the number worked or not.

[ChrisB]

I've taken that up with FGW^▸ (First Great Western). hopefully it might not last long!

[johoare]

My car hasn't yet been leafletted.. I saw a small sign as i walked into the station at Maidenhead earlier today but probably only noticed it as I knew, from here, that it was happening..

So.. six days to go, and assuming it's happening, I'm thinking there are lots and lots of people who won't know before next Monday and will be caught out..

And yes I agree with Phil about the cost of the call.. If they do carry on with an 0845 number I will be making sure, at weekends, that I have enough change and enough time to buy a ticket from the machine.. Mind you if they are as good as RingGo then I should be able to buy my car parking tickets in advance on the internet..

[Bristol Traveler]

Just joined because I'm really irritated by this change. Lots of people where I work use RingGo and then all our VAT^▸ (Value Added Tax) receipts and invoices can be forwarded to out accounts dept. I'm just about to get an iphone so I can finally use their parking app .... until it's being taken away!!! I can't see why as it works pretty well as far as I'm concerned. It seems to be about price but FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are saying one thing and RingGo deny they are raising price??? The Apcoa system is new and has been used in 28 car parks as opposed to RingGo which is at least 4 yrs old( that's how long I've used it) and is used in over 3000....

I just can't see it is going to be any better. I've already tried to find a help number on Apcoa's website and it just doesn't exist. This just seems like a change that has nothing to do with making life any easier for the customer... it fact most likely given their inexperience it's going to get worse...What can be done? How can I complain to??

[Phil]

Welcome to the forum, Bristol Traveller.

The following blog seems to be setting itself up as a rallying point for people with an opinion on the withdrawal of Ring-Go

http://theyellowlines.wordpress.com/

- and I must say, I have to agree with them that it was rather distasteful seeing balloons being handed out triumphantly by APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) at Chippenham today

[inspector_blakey]

The following blog seems to be setting itself up as a rallying point for people with an opinion on the withdrawal of Ring-Go

I know it might like to set itself up as some kind of spontaneous outpouring of grief from Ringgo users, but the "about" page informs us that

The Yellow Lines is a user support group for the RingGo mobile parking payment solution ^ organised and run by fans of the service and sponsored by RingGo.

(my emphasis)

In all honesty I doubt that anything's going to change now - it sounds very much like the deal is done, and as disappointing as it may be I think The Yellow Lines has as much chance of reversing this change as there is of re-hashing the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) to emable service to Pembroke Dock.

[johoare]

So...5 days to go till the 13th and no one has told me yet (apart from on here) about this change.. This morning I entered the station from the other entrance to the one I normally do and there was no notices at all about RingGo going (having said that, since I was reading everything carefully, I did learn how to walk up the steps to the platform in a safe fashion  )..

Today, however, I did look at the Apcoa connect website and it looks like it's not a bad service.. I think I can't pay in advance for parking on the internet like I could before ..But other than that looks all good enough..

Now all I need to know is who I'll be paying on Monday...

[IanL]

A notice has gone up at Charlbury in the ticket office which refers to the new number and arrangements but not that ringgo have been replaced. If I didn't know better it would look like
a new number for the existing service, an impression that is reinforced by the business cards with the new number that state "New location code, new phone number, same efficient service"

[ChrisB]

I wonder whether the offer that you pay less at Oxford station if using the train still works, with the Passenger Code on the platform?

[IndustryInsider]

I wonder whether the offer that you pay less at Oxford station if using the train still works, with the Passenger Code on the platform?

Let's hope so.  The Car Park would be rather deserted at ^26.40 a day if not.