'Double first' for Parkeon parking system at Doncasters 250 million Frenchgate

Parkeon, the worlds leading provider of parking space management solutions, has achieved a double first with the Varioflex pay-on-foot (P-o-F) parking system it has supplied for the 250 million Frenchgate development in Doncaster.

Created for Scarborough Development Group, in partnership with Doncaster Council and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Frenchgate is the first development of its kind in the UK to combine a purpose-built integrated transport hub and shopping centre under one roof.

The six automatic Varioflex pay stations installed in the developments new multi-storey car park (MSCP) are the first in the UK to be fitted with an original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) own EMV-approved Chip n PIN card reader and to be installed in a fully-fledged installation.

To date, all the other makes of pay stations with a Chip n PIN facility in this country have been fitted with readers from third party manufacturers and are part of on-going trials, explains Bob Barnes, Parkeons Operations Director N.Europe. By using our own dedicated EMV-approved card reader, we are able to provide operators with a true one stop solution that will make it quicker and easier to manage any repairs or warranty claims, should they be necessary.

For optimum security, card transactions are processed on-line and in real-time via 3C International, Europes leader in integrated credit card payment solutions. The pay stations accept banknotes and coins, as well as debit/credit cards.

 

Security is the key word when it comes to card payment processing, especially for unattended terminals. MasterCard and Visa have demanded that all parties increase their card security requirements in the UK. Chip and PIN is one of several initiatives introduced to combat fraudulent transactions. 3C are very proud that Frenchgate chose our fully EMV-compliant solution, together with Parkeon, to meet this requirement", explains Michael Balzer, Chief Executive Officer, 3C International.

Frenchgate provides 82,245 sq m (880,000 sq ft) of top-quality retail space, the 6-level MSCP with 900 spaces for shoppers - plus 500 for main line rail users - and a state-of-the-art bus and coach facility with 30 stands. The original 400 space car park on the roof of the shopping centre has been retained as part of the development.

Parkeons Varioflex pay-on-foot system was chosen because of the similarity in its user interface to hole-in-the-wall cash machines and the type of payment terminals people are familiar with at airports", says Susan Sambrook, Centre Manager at Frenchgate. The development is managed by surveyors, GVA Grimley, on behalf of the current owners.

For operational and legal reasons, GNER the rail operator required a separate car park for its passengers. The two top levels of the MSCP are, therefore, dedicated to rail travellers and operated as a separate parking zone with its own tariffs and charging periods. There are separate entrances to both the shoppers and the stations parking areas, with two entry lanes to each.

GNER has a Varioflex manual pay station installed in its rail ticket office, enabling the Company to issue parking season tickets for its customers and to validate car park tickets for executive passengers, for whom the cost of parking is included in their fares.

For the convenience of rail car park season ticket holders, a vehicle licence plate recognition (LPR) system automatically raises the entry barriers to the stations parking zone. A single exit lane equipped with a barrier takes drivers from the stations parking area into the shoppers car park, from which there are three exit lanes, also equipped with LPR. All the entries and exits are equipped with Parkeons Varioflex terminals and barriers.

Drivers will be advised of the number of parking spaces available on each level of the MSCP by variable message signage (VMS). The information will be displayed both inside the car park and on the dual carriageway that runs under the Frenchgate and from which the MCSP is accessed. It is the first parking facility in Doncaster to be awarded a Secured by Design security award.

About Parkeon

Parkeon is a global leading player in the fields of on-street and off-street parking and automated mass-transit ticketing equipment and systems.

Its activities encompass the development, manufacture, installation and maintenance of equipment and systems, as well as related services, including managed services, which leverage a global network of data processing centres.

Parkeon is leader of the on-street parking segment with a 60% global market share. With an installed base of 140,000 machines, the Companys parking terminals are a familiar sight in over 3,000 cities across 40 countries. Its Pay & Display systems control over 3 million parking spaces around the world.

Parkeon also has an installed base of 5,000 ticket vending machines for heavy and light rail, underground and multimodal transport operators in Europe, notably Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Based in Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and France - where the Company is headquartered), the United States and Latin America (Brazil), Parkeon employs over 850 people worldwide and generated revenues of 130 million in 2005. Its manufacturing facility has production capabilities of 2,000 Pay & Display units monthly and 1,000 ticket vending machines/access control systems annually.

Parkeon was formed in November 2003 after the spin-off of the parking & ticketing division of Schlumberger. The Company has played a significant role in the development of Pay & Display technology, in which it has over 30 years experience.

Parkeon Limited, Membrain House, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7PP, U.K.
Tel: 01202 850927 Fax: 01202 850903
Web: www.parkeon.com

Press Contact:
Terry Walsby,
Terry Walsby Media Relations
Tel: 01628 639378
Fax: 01628 777605
E-mail: terry.walsby@btconnect.com

About 3C International

3C International is the leading card payment processing company. Founded by Jan Stenbeck in 1986, 3C is part of the major alternative pan-European telecom operator Tele2 AB.

Operating for 20 years in over 24 countries worldwide, 3Cs mission is to deliver high quality and cost effective payment solutions for various industry and market segments, such as Retail, Hospitality, Vending, Ticketing, Kiosks, Pay & Display and eCommerce. With a mix of local and global solutions, 3C can assist customers in reducing their operating cost related to card processing. Product Development, Project Management, Managed Services, Consultancy and Customer Service form part of the complete service offering 3C is providing to the market. To know about 3C International, please take a look at www.3cint.com

For more information:
Agnes Derderian
Marketing Manager 3C International
Cell: +46 (0)73 650 3534 --- email: agnes.derderian@3cint.com