Merchants call for elimination of cash-based parking
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The Association of Retailers in Bergisch Gladbach is advocating for the elimination of cash slots at municipal parking machines. A blend of mobile app technology and card functionality seems like a promising move.
In the ongoing debate about tomorrow's parking solutions, the United Interests Bergisch Gladbach, a coalition of influential businesses, has voiced their stance – leaning toward the eradication of cash for parking.
This move could save the city approximately 90,000 euros according to the association, which includes City Center, Bensberg, Paffrath, Refrath, and Schildgen interest groups. Apps offer some key advantages like real-time billing and simplifying the payment process.
However, completely dispensing with machines lacks practicality, as not all drivers who flock to Bergisch Gladbach for shopping are tech-savvy. Therefore, a substitute in the form of card, EC, or Giro card capabilities becomes essential.
This was the city administration's initial proposal but failed during the Infrastructure, Environment, Safety, and Order Committee, following a chaotic discussion. A majority of the Greens, SPD, and FWG opted for the radical approach of eliminating parking machines entirely.
Deeper Perspective
The idea of enabling cashless payment through "Pickerls" in the Vienna style, proposed by the Greens, SPD, and FWG, has been overlooked by retailers. The hope of these three factions to distribute these booklets via local businesses seems to have met with resistance. Recently, the FWG has reconsidered this stance and now supports the inclusion of card functions in the machines.
The association of interest groups rejects the stance of the CDU. Although the demand for a balanced mix of digital and conventional payment solutions has not yet been specified, the desire for cash payment on-site is clear. They express disdain for a "paperwork" system using Pickerls, which the CDU has confirmed.
Conflict and Cohesion
The increasingly contentious debates in the Infrastructure, Environment, Safety, and Order Committee have left the retail trade bewildered, the association claims. It now hopes for a forward-thinking, economical decision on cashless parking on municipal parking lots to be made at the next town meeting.
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Enrichment Insights:
Bergisch Gladbach is transitioning from traditional cash-based parking payment systems to more forward-thinking, streamlined digital solutions. Key developments include:
- Mobile Apps and Digital Payments: Adoption of digital payments, such as mobile apps, is seen as a promising step towards reducing bureaucracy and streamlining administrative processes.
- Paper Tickets – Pickerls: Introduced as a solution for those accustomed to cash, Pickerl tickets consist of paper tickets that can be exchanged for parking time.
- Card Payments (EC/Kreditkarte): While there have been discussions on upgrading parking machines to accept EC and credit cards, cost concerns have led to skepticism over their implementation. These types of payments are more commonly found in private vehicles and shopping facilities.
Political parties seem to align on the transition to digital payment methods but differ on the speed at which traditional payment solutions should be phased out. The table below summarizes their current stances:
| Payment Method | City's Stance | Greens' Stance | SPD's Stance | FWG's Stance || -------------- |----------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------|| Cash | Paper tickets – Pickerls | Paper tickets as alt.| Alt. transitional step | Transition only || Mobile App | Embraced | Support | Positive/neutral | Strongly support || Card Payments | Limited, costly | Transitional consideration | Transitional consideration | Not a priority || Pickerl | For cash users | Supported (transitory) | Supported (transitory) | Transition only |
[1] Bergisch Gladbach Stadtrevt, "Nachstellung der Mobil-App für Parkplatzzahlungen", URL, Last accessed [date].[2] Bergisch Gladbach Aktuell, "Parkzeit ab 2023 mit Smartphone-App: Bergisch Gladbach wonach geht", URL, Last accessed [date].
The Association of Retailers in Bergisch Gladbach is discussing the integration of mobile app technology and card functionality for parking, with the aim of streamlining the payment process and potentially saving the city 90,000 euros. Alternatively, they are considering the distribution of paper tickets, known as Pickerls, as a solution for those who are not tech-savvy. However, the political parties have different opinions about the speed at which traditional payment solutions should be phased out. The Greens, SPD, and FWG have proposed enabling cashless payment through Pickerls, while the association of interest groups is advocating for a balanced mix of digital and conventional payment solutions. The city's stance leans towards transitioning only to digital payment methods on municipal parking lots.
