READERS have rallied behind claims that the difference between parking prices for app payments and in-person payments at a city centre car park is "discriminatory".

Last week, Tony Dean, 79, of Chelmsford Drive, slammed the parking prices at the NCP Cathedral Square car park, highlighting the vast difference between in-app payments and on-the-day payments.

Following Mr Dean's comments on the prices, many readers also expressed similar opinions on the matter.

Sylvia Herbert said: "I've checked the costs and can see how outrageous is the difference between cash and app.

"One hour £1.95 for cash, 95p for the app, and a £6.25 difference for five to six hours. The arguments from NCP are unsupportable."

READ MORE: Pensioner slams NCP price differences on app and in person

James Plinth said: "He's spot on. The elderly are digitally excluded from many walks of life. Discrimination should be addressed."

Another reader gave a strong opinion on apps and data usage, saying that Mr Dean was "right to complain.

They said: "He's right to complain. Apps are a money-spinning form of blackmail via tiered pricing and where your data is being amassed by firms for further profit.

"What's wrong with taking card payments? That's what most people prefer."

However, not all readers said that the price differences were an issue, with one commenter in their seventies speaking in favour of apps.

James Gordon said: "I'm in my seventies and use apps, they are so convenient, you're not scraping around in your car for change.

"For those who choose not to use an app can just use their card, I don't understand the fuss over this issue.

"Obviously, it's more cost-effective for NCP than accepting cash, so understandable the tariff will be higher for those paying cash."

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Another reader said: "So what is wrong with a private company properly displaying fees for users?

"NCP wants to avoid having to manage cash sums: staff collecting them from machines, storing the coins, transferring to a bank, probably paying a fee at the bank to handle the coins."

In response to Mr Dean's comments last week, a spokesperson for the NCP said: "We do accept that app payments are not the solution for everyone, however, we do encourage customers to use our app so that they too can benefit from the best deals we can offer at the time."