Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has developed its own parking payment app, saying it will operate without the surcharge imposed by apps of private operators.
It has attached the Swift brand, which is used for the region’s travel card, to the app and said it can be used at 35 car parks including 29 owned by Dudley Council.
Features include a function to check opening times and charges, another to extend parking time remotely and electronic receipts.
TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said that so far more than 2,000 people have signed up to use the Swift app and that it is working with other local authorities and car park owners for it to accept payments for them.
It also emphasised the potential of the app to encourage people to switch to other modes of transport by introducing them to incentives to use public transport, such as discounted fares.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm with Dudley Council, said: “We had no hesitation in adopting Swift across our car parks and it has proved popular for users.
“It could also enable us to show motorists better ways to visit Dudley – especially as we are witnessing a transport revolution with the new Metro tram line under construction, a new bus interchange station and more rapid bus services on the way.”
Image from WMCA
