NYC DOT Announces New Effort To Encourage Contactless Payments For City Parking Meters

With COVID-19 concerns, drivers will have a new pay-as-you go option via ParkMobile smartphone app

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Apr 21, 2020, 06:00 ET

NEW YORK, April 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new effort to discourage cash payments at the City's parking meters and encourage contactless parking payment by smartphone. The Pay-By-Cell option protects the safety of both DOT's workforce and the public by reducing physical interactions with the City's 14,000 meters.

Two different apps are now available for download to pay for parking at 80,000 metered spots across New York City:

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the New York Department of Transportation is taking many steps to prevent the spread of the virus. In an effort to reduce people spreading germs by touching city parking meters, the City of New York is encouraging all residents and visitors to pay for parking using an app. To help increase mobile parking app usage and adoption, the city is adding the availability of the ParkMobile app, in addition to the city’s current ParkNYC app.

ParkNYC: Launched in December 2016 and available for free download in the Apple Store or Google Play, ParkNYC allows account holders to pay for parking at any metered parking space on a new pay-as-you-go basis with no additional fees after loading an initial $25 wallet balance. The popular app was used for more than 22 million parking transactions last year.
ParkMobile: To enhance the Pay-by-Cell program and encourage contactless transactions, DOT is now temporarily offering the option to use the nationwide ParkMobile app for single transactions, for a 15-cent per transaction fee. While meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards, we encourage all customers to consider their own safety and the safety of our workers — and opt for mobile payments. The app accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

"DOT is asking all New Yorkers who can to switch to Pay-By-Cell, which will reduce the need for physical cash transactions at our 14,000 parking meters. Contactless Pay-By-Cell reduces exposure risk for the public and our workforce," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "Please help us reduce the need to physically service parking meters and collect, sanitize and securely store cash during this crisis."

New York City's parking meters remain in effect to encourage curb turnover, which supports deliveries and essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and medical providers. The availability of parking meters also discourages double parking, which enhances safety. Zone numbers on Muni-Meter decals and under parking signage will work in both apps. DOT encourages all New Yorkers who do not need to travel to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and expresses its greatest thanks to its own employees — and all other essential workers — for their continued work keeping the city running safely.

About ParkMobile:
ParkMobile, LLC is the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in North America, helping millions of people easily find, reserve, and pay for parking from their mobile devices. The company's technology is used in thousands of locations across the country, including 7 of the top 10 cities as well as college campuses, airports, and stadiums. People can use ParkMobile solutions to quickly pay for on-street and off-street parking without having to use a meter or kiosk.

Media Contacts:
DOT: Scott Gastel/Alana Morales (212) 839-4850
Park Mobile: Jeff Perkins (404) 219-4720, [email protected]

SOURCE ParkMobile