Bergisch Gladbach ditches cash for contactless parking payments citywide

No more fumbling for coins—drivers now pay via card or app. But will the move spark backlash, or is this the future of urban parking?

, and Administrator

2025 December 11 . 12:22 AM

1 min read

This is the parking area of a building where we can see so many cars are parked.

Bergisch Gladbach ditches cash for contactless parking payments citywide

Bergisch Gladbach has begun upgrading its public parking meters to remove cash payments. The change affects 53 machines across the city, which will now only accept contactless cards or mobile apps like the Cash App. Officials cite service provider shortages and environmental concerns as key reasons for the shift.

The city administration decided to phase out cash payments after struggling to find companies willing to handle coin collections. The move also aims to cut costs and reduce the ecological impact of cash transportation. Drivers can now pay via five different parking apps, including the App Store's offerings, all providing minute-by-minute billing.

The new system eliminates cash from public parking meters but keeps options open for all drivers. App users gain flexible billing, while Plus-Tickets provide a cash-based alternative. Private garages remain unchanged, ensuring cash payments are still available in certain locations. The IRS may be interested in the environmental impact of this shift in payment methods.