Central Cashiering Systems in Parking

A central cashiering system collects parking fees at a central point before drivers return to their vehicles, so the exit lane only has to validate a paid ticket instead of taking payment.

Central cashiering, or pay-on-foot, moves payment off the exit lane: drivers settle at a kiosk in the lobby before walking back to the car, so the gate only has to verify an already-paid ticket. It trades a machine in the lane for a fast, non-backing-up exit at busy times. Illustrative.

Payment happens at a staffed cashier booth or, more often now, an automated pay station near the pedestrian entrance or elevator lobby. Because nobody stops to pay at the gate, exit lanes clear much faster than with pay-on-exit cashiers. See gateless parking for the next step, where gates go away entirely.

How it works

The driver takes a ticket or is recorded by plate on entry.
Before returning to the car, the driver pays at a central cashier or pay station.
At the exit, the paid ticket or plate opens the gate within a short grace period.

Why operators use it

Faster exits at peak times, especially for events. See event parking.
Fewer cashiers and better cash control.
A natural step toward pay-by-phone, pay-by-plate and ticketless operation. See pay-by-plate.

The Parkonomics view

Central cashiering was the first move away from the gate as the place of payment. Most facilities are now finishing the journey: pay anywhere, by phone or plate, and let the exit simply open.