LONDON, Jan 22, 2026, 10:36 (GMT)
- RingGo confirmed it is looking into “disturbances” disrupting its parking service
- Users flagged issues with the app, login, and website, but Downdetector data points mainly to app-related troubles
- The disruption sparked concerns about how drivers will prove payment and steer clear of penalty notices
RingGo announced on Thursday that it’s looking into “disturbances” affecting its service after drivers in various parts of the UK couldn’t pay for parking during the morning rush. The app, used by 21 million people, covers roughly 17,000 spots across 500 towns and cities nationwide.
This outage hits hard since app-based parking has become the norm in many areas, requiring drivers to start their session before stepping away from the vehicle. Even if payment fails, enforcement officers can still ticket, leaving drivers to sort it out through appeals afterward.
It arrives during peak hours when commuters and school-run traffic squeeze demand into tight bursts. Drivers often face the choice: risk a ticket or just keep going.
On Thursday, outage-tracking site Downdetector recorded user complaints, mostly pointing to issues with the app. According to the site, 75% of reports involved the “App,” 17% concerned “Login” problems, and 8% related to the “Website.”
GB News noted over 1,300 users flagged issues on Downdetector, peaking near 8 a.m. Several drivers mentioned RingGo’s phone service was down too. People reported error messages like: “We encountered a problem dealing with your request, please try again.”
The Sun reported that RingGo’s customer service admitted to “intermittent issues” and advised users to use other payment methods or keep attempting to pay. Meanwhile, drivers took to social media questioning how parking fines would be managed if payments failed.
The disruption also underscores how fragmented UK parking payments still are. Apps like JustPark and PayByPhone compete in many places, yet acceptance varies by council or operator, meaning they don’t always work where RingGo does.
Drivers face risks either way. If the outage ends fast, many lose time but dodge penalties; if it drags on, tickets could pile up, pushing drivers into appeals where they’ll need screenshots, receipts, or logs to prove they attempted payment.
RingGo’s website notice didn’t specify the reason for the outage or when full service might return. Drivers will need to check local regulations: some areas still accept payments via machines or alternative methods, while others require the app exclusively.
