Parking in New York City is about to get much easier.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday the launch of ParkNYC, which allows drivers to pay to park at a metered spot online or on their smartphone. ParkNYC links registered license plate numbers to NYPD traffic enforcement agents’ handheld devices that confirm payment.
“Parking in New York City can be a challenge, but ParkNYC will make it just a bit easier,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With no paper receipt and the ability to quickly get on your way, this new pay-by-cell tool fulfills our commitment – made in this year’s State of the City address – that we would help save New Yorkers the most precious of resources: their time.”
The ParkNYC mobile app officially launched on Friday, Dec. 16, and is available for free in the App Store and Google Play. It can be used as zones are phased in citywide on a rolling basis through next summer.
Here’s how to use ParkNYC:
- Download the ParkNYC app or go to www.parknyc.org to register an account.
- Enter personal information including phone number and email; create a password.
- Provide a license plate number for the account and set alert/notification preferences.
- Load your wallet. A ParkNYC wallet works like EZPass, and can be reloaded in increments as low as $25. Once registered, drivers may use the mobile app, internet or a toll-free number to pay for parking.
- Park. After parking, enter the unique zone number for block and length of time. After confirmation, the driver is set.
- Extend. If time is running out and maximum time has not already been reached, parking time can be extended without returning to the car.
“With ParkNYC, drivers no longer have to scramble for change or even walk to a Muni-Meter to get a receipt for their dashboard,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “With no added fees, mobile alerts that let you know when your parking session is ending, and the ability to extend a session without returning to your car, ParkNYC offers a great convenience to New York drivers.”
Even with the introduction of ParkNYC, DOT Muni-Meters would continue to accept coins and credit/debit cards for payment for customers who don’t wish to use the new service. Visit the ParkNYC website for more information.
