By Jade Neville

After nearly two decades in parking, working in U.K. local government enforcement and private operations, I’ve learned that the “public versus private” divide isn’t something to fixate on. It’s not a competition. It’s a difference in perspective, and that difference can be a real asset.

Whether I’m speaking with public parking authorities or private operators — in the U.K. or here in the U.S. — the same themes keep coming up: How do we balance operational efficiency with fairness? How can we use technology to improve the user experience? How do we rebuild public trust in parking?

The answers don’t reside in one sector alone. They emerge when both sides start listening to each other.

Different models, shared goals

Structurally, the U.K. and U.S. approach things differently. In the U.K., the split is fairly clear: Councils manage mostly on-street parking under national regulations, while private firms typically operate off-street car parks. In the U.S., the lines blur more: Many cities run their own parking, but private operators are often key players in garages, lots, and enforcement.

However, the model matters less than the mission. Whether public or private, the goal is the same: Deliver a parking system that’s reliable, easy to use, and fair. The public wants simple signage, a reasonable price, and an understanding that they won’t be unfairly penalized. They don’t really care who’s running it — just that it works.

Fairness and trust go further than ownership

Recent U.K. research commissioned by the British Parking Association (BPA) showed that most people understand the need for parking rules — and even enforcement — when it supports safety and access. They just want it applied clearly and fairly.

Similarly, people respond well to private parking services that feel seamless — clean, well-lit facilities, easy app payments, and responsive customer service. But when things feel overly punitive or inconsistent, trust erodes fast.

That lesson cuts both ways: Public-sector teams must continually modernize the way they deliver services, while private operators must remain focused on transparency, ethics, and the user experience.

A U.K. example: raising standards together

One development I’m particularly proud of in the U.K. is the work being done around the Private Parking Code of Practice, a national effort to standardize fairness, improve signage, cap excessive fines, and protect drivers from poor industry practices.

Although implementation has faced delays, the principle behind the code is simple: Private enforcement must meet the same high standards expected of public service. This isn’t about limiting innovation. It’s about earning and keeping public trust.

It’s also an example of how regulation, when done collaboratively, can strengthen the industry. It encourages self-reflection, better training, smarter design, and clearer communication — all things both sectors benefit from.

Learning from each other

In my role as chair of the BPA’s Technology Special Interest Group, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful collaboration can be. We regularly bring public authorities and private companies together to share what’s working and where the pain points are.

These sessions are never about proving who’s right. They’re about learning. I’ve seen private firms pick up ideas from councils on appeals handling and signage consistency. I’ve seen local authorities adopt private-sector technology to streamline operations or make payment easier for users.

Public teams bring a strong sense of accountability, equity, and policy alignment. Private teams bring customer focus, agility, and innovation. Together, they can raise the bar.

A shared future

Parking often gets a tough rap. However, behind the headlines, people are doing their best to make mobility smoother, safer, and smarter. What we need now isn’t more division. It’s more dialogue.

To senior leaders reading this, whether you work in a city department, a municipal authority, a private parking firm, or a tech start-up, my message is this: We’re stronger when we learn from each other. There’s real power in bringing different experiences together to design better outcomes.

Because in the end, the curb doesn’t care who’s managing it. The driver just wants it to work, for them, for their city, and for the greater good.

Let’s keep building those bridges. We’ll all benefit.

JADE NEVILLE is the sales operations and marketing manager for Trellint, a co-founder of Women in Parking UK, and a former president of the British Parking Association. She can be reached at [email protected].