Two out of five elderly drivers have revealed they prefer using cash to pay for parking despite many car parks moving to only allowing contactless or app-based payments.
Research has revealed significant differences in payment preferences across various demographics, with age and income playing crucial roles in how drivers choose to settle their parking fees.
A recent survey found that cash remains the payment method of choice for 40 per cent of drivers overall, despite the growing availability of contactless and digital alternatives.
It also uncovered a stark divide between income groups, with those on lower incomes showing a stronger preference for traditional cash payments.
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Two in five elderly drivers prefer paying for parking with cash
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There was also a clear generational split, with older motorists significantly more likely to favour notes and coins compared to their younger counterparts.
These findings come at a time when many car parks are reducing cash payment options, potentially creating challenges for certain groups of drivers.
Among drivers on low incomes, including the unemployed and those in semi-skilled or unskilled manual occupations, more than half (53 per cent) said they would prefer to pay for parking using physical cash.
The generational divide is equally striking. Just 12 per cent of Gen Z motorists aged 18 to 24 opt for banknotes and coins as their preferred payment method. But this figure rises dramatically to 46 per cent among drivers aged 65 and over.
As the Labour Government looks to prioritise digital growth, council car parks becoming cashless could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including pensioners and those on lower incomes who rely on cash for budgeting and financial management.
The findings suggest that maintaining diverse payment options may be essential to ensure fair access to parking facilities for all motorists.
Some survey participants expressed strong views about the availability of cash payment options. One respondent told the AA that if they don’t take cash: “I will leave and find somewhere else to park.”
Another driver was equally adamant about keeping a cash option for parking charges, stating they “would not park if cash was not accepted”.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, expressed concern about the trend away from cash payments.
He explained that parking a car should be a “simple and hassle-free experience”, but some drivers are becoming more “frustrated” as taking cash has become less common.
He said: “While it is clear that younger drivers prefer contactless payment options, older and low-income drivers want to pay by cash.
“In fact, some claim they drive on until they can do so. With the high street already under strain, it seems counter-intuitive for car parks to refuse a customer willing to pay.”
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The survey found that more younger drivers prefer to pay for parking through cashless schemes
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Cousens added: “Allowing parking to be paid by a multitude of options seems the best solution for both car parks and drivers, but those opting to pay by app should take note that doing so could be more expensive as administration costs are added to the rates.”
