The present invention provides a parking system having a parking meter in close proximity to a corresponding parking bay in which a user's vehicle is able to be parked. A payment receiving means is further provided for receiving payment and thereafter establishing a parking period in which the vehicle is able to be legitimately parked in the bay. There is provided a communication means for sending a message to the user's mobile phone prior to the expiry of the parking period. The message alerts the user that the parking period will soon expire and that the user must either move the vehicle before the expiry of the parking period or make an additional payment, if allowable, to remain legitimately parked.