Vending Machines give change so why can’t Parking Meters?

Vending machines give change so why are parking meters ripping us off?

We all know how frustrating it is when you finally find a parking spot, and then you don’t have the right money for the machine, so you end up overpaying! Radio Nottingham were discussing this the other day, and our MD Nick was quick to phone in.

“If vending machines can give the right change, why can’t parking meters?” asked Nick. Of course, we all have our suspicions that councils just want to make extra money on parking meters!

A Freedom of Information request to Cornwall Council in 2014 led to the Council stating that 2% of takings from their parking meters was “over-vend” in 2011/2012, amounting to £307,293.

The Council stated that “In Cornwall, there are over 250 pay and display machines in locations from Bude to Porthcurnow and if these machines gave change there would have to be a mechanism to ensure they were continually stocked with sufficient change and to address the situation if they were not.

“The logistical problems of doing this would be great and would result in a high cost. The ‘base level’ of change would also be left in the machines at all times making them much more prone to vandalism and theft.

“The amount of overspend only represents about two per cent of our total income from car parking. Like any surplus parking income, it is used to support transportation requirements such as road maintenance and concessionary bus fares.”

(Source The Independent,http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/no-change-parking-meters-make-extra-300000-a-year-in-cornwall-9181634.html )

At Commercial Vending Services, we understand that for a vending machine to give the right change, it must be regularly topped up with change, and the mechanism kept clean. We ensure that our clients’ vending machines are regularly re-stocked, topped up with change, cleaned and serviced so that the “No change” light is a rare sight. In the unlikely event of a breakdown, out of stock or out of change, all machines have a mobile number on them so clients can contact us directly.

So while we can’t see the parking meters giving change anytime soon, we will continue to do so!