Hatfield, Herts, 10 June 2022 – PayByPhone’s aim is simple: to simplify the journey for its clients and for motorist. This customer-centric focus is especially sharp when new market trends emerge. One trend that is becoming a permanent part of the parking landscape is multi-vendor contracts, of which there are generally four models.

“As a global company, PayByPhone has been aware of the impact of multi-vendor contracts since their inception and are involved in them in the US, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France,” says Adam Dolphin, UK Sales Director, PayByPhone.

In Europe, the Netherlands is leading the way, with 100% of its parking going down the multi-vendor route. The UK is adopting multi-vendor contracts at a slower pace; 99% of local authorities do not have multi-vendor contracts in place. This is in part due to the fact they are much more complex and multifaceted than they first appear. Implemented incorrectly, they can lead to more back-end administrative work for councils.

“Councils wishing to investigate this parking approach should do their due diligence rather than making the switch in haste. Independence is vitally important, and that’s why at PayByPhone we welcome the national independent hub that is being created – the National Parking Platform (NPP). Using this approach is PayByPhone’s preferred long-term option for councils looking to set up multi-vendor contracts,” says Dolphin.

For the councils, there is the obvious advantage of not adding a massive data-management function to staff workloads. But one of the biggest benefits of a national independent hub is that it does not have a vested interest in the contract – this enhances transparency and ensures a level playing field for all suppliers.

If a council is happy with its current parking provider, there is no need to rush into a multi-vendor approach. However, if a council is unhappy with its incumbent, it is a good time to start investigating multi-vendor models with a view ultimately to making a careful transition.

“Councils should make the choice to the right multi-vendor model at the right time for them, in the right way and for the for the right reasons. And because the approach is still in its infancy in the UK, councils should assess each of the models currently available very carefully before deciding,” concludes Dolphin.

For more information, visit www.paybyphone.co.uk

About PayByPhone

PayByPhone’s aim is simple: simplify your journey so you can focus on what matters most. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, it is one of the fastest growing mobile payments companies in the world, processing more thanGBP550million in payments and over five million downloads per year. Available in nearly 1,300 cities across the globe, PayByPhone helps millions of consumers easily and safely pay for parking without the hassles of coins, queues or fines. Its smart, intuitive technology is at the centre of its user-first approach, delivered to make everything as simple as possible. Its multi-award-winning environmental initiatives, Carbon Neutral status since 2019and cashless ethos, all contribute to helping it and its clients on the green journey in this interconnected world. For more information, please visit www.paybyphone.co.uk.

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