Question 1

What is the NPP?

Accepted Answer

Funded by the Department for Transport, the NPP is a ‘parking hub’ that enables multiple service providers to operate in a single area. By allowing several providers to ‘plug in’ simultaneously, it unlocks competition (known as the Open Market for parking) and maximises resilience. The NPP creates a nationwide infrastructure which offers additional value, innovation and, more importantly, choice to motorists.
The NPP also simplifies the exchange of data and digital payments, providing a transformative new approach to delivering parking and mobility services. By signing up for the NPP, councils future-proof their towns and cities by making better data-driven decisions on traffic management and parking policies. Private companies also benefit from enhanced parking data to support strategic decision-making.

Question 2

Does it replace the current tender model?

Accepted Answer

Yes – the NPP avoids the costly and time-consuming procurement model that restricts local authorities, and some private operators, to using a single supplier. Each service provider must meet a set of minimum standards to ensure parking operators and motorists are provided with a good service.

Question 3

When will the NPP be available nationwide?

Accepted Answer

The Department for Transport has committed to move the NPP from its pilot phase to full-scale national roll-out by late 2024.

Question 4

Are councils ready for the NPP?

Accepted Answer

A 
2023 survey
 by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) – supported by RingGo – highlighted awareness gaps around the NPP and its potential to transform British parking. The research, based on a survey of over 100 councillors and officers, found that:
• Over a third (36%) of respondents had never heard of the NPP
• Almost 80% said they would welcome efforts by the government to explain more about how the NPP will work in practice
The government responded to these findings by educating councils about the NPP 
with 
FAQs
 and Q&A sessions. The Secretary of State for Transport said: “the government expects that joining the Platform will become the natural choice for all concerned”.

Question 5

Do councils want a government-funded parking platform?

Accepted Answer

Having a publicly-owned parking platform aligns with findings from a 2023 Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) survey of parking decision makers – 42% preferred the idea of the government-created hub, while only 4% favoured a private-sector hub. 
Read the full report
.
Although using the NPP is not mandatory
, as of mid-2024, around 240 local authorities had expressed interest in joining the initiative.

Question 6

Can private operators join the NPP?

Accepted Answer

Yes – when the NPP rolls out nationwide in late 2024, private operators will be able to join a tried and tested process for enabling digital payments.

Question 7

Is the Open Market in operation elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

The Open Market for parking is a standard model embraced across much of Europe. It has been operating for more than a decade in some markets; and is particularly popular in the Nordics, the Netherlands and Germany.

Question 8

What does the future look like?

Accepted Answer

What does the future look like?
As more parking operators tap into the data-sharing potential of the NPP, service providers will be incentivised to develop improved features and services to attract motorists, such as price, app functionality, space availability, directions and EV charging. Integrated services, including onward mobility and in-car solutions, will also be available in time.
For more information, 
visit the NPP website
 and read our 
Open Market overview
 and the 
Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) report
.

Open Market: It's a win-win

Transforming the way we park

The future of parking is an Open Market

An Open Market benefits everyone

Councils can join the Open Market now – and it’s coming soon for private operators

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