By Mark Hallum
Motorists will no longer need to rush to feed the meter.
The launch of ParkNYC, a mobile payment system for on-street parking, was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, the city Department of Transportation and Parkmobile, LLC, a private vendor. With the first phase of the launch starting in Midtown Manhattan, all 85,000 parking spots served by Muni-Meters will be available to ParkNYC users by the summer of 2017.
“The rollout schedule is still being determined, but we are on an aggressive timetable to getting ParkNYC to all neighborhoods citywide, including Queens, by this summer,” DOT Chief Communications Officer Christopher Browne said.
At the demonstration of the program on Monday, Trottenberg noted that Muni-Meters would stay in place for New Yorkers who wish to opt out of the new service and that parking rates and time limits would remain unchanged.
“With ParkNYC, drivers no longer have to scramble for change or even walk to a Muni-Meter to get a receipt for their dashboard,” Trottenberg said. “With no added fees, mobile alerts that let you know when your parking session is ending nd the ability to extend a session without returning to your car, ParkNYC offers a great convenience to New York drivers. We are excited that ParkNYC will be available at every metered parking space in every borough by the end of next summer.”
DOT commissioner Polly Trottenburg demonstrated how ParkNYC works by using a smart phone at a metered parking spot in Manhattan Monday. The information from a user’s licence plate is relayed through the program where motorists pay for parking on held-held devices used by NYPD traffic enforcement officers.
“Parking in New York City can be a challenge, but ParkNYC will make it just a bit easier,” said 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.”
Users can access the service by downloading the app on their mobile device or by going to www.parkn
From there, parking can be purchased or renewed. Mobile notifications can be turned on to alert users of expiring time limits and extend.
“The ParkNYC mobile payment system will make parking easier for everyday New Yorkers,” said Council member Costa Constantinides. “This fair and convenient solution will help more drivers extend their parking time before their meter runs out, avoiding tickets and fees.”
Signs identifying each block-side with a six digit code will be available to tell users which zone they are parked in to buy parking permits accordingly.
Downloads will be available for Apple and Android free of charge.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
