App for the 'space' race

Phones could feed your parking meter

 

 

Drivers may soon be able to phone the meter instead of feeding it in person.

New York City plans to test new "pay by phone" parking meters that warn motorists as the time winds down and invites them to buy extra minutes without returning to their cars.

In coming months, nearly 300 spots will be equipped with the new technology -- already used in Atlanta and Washington -- for a one-year pilot program, according to a request for proposals released yesterday.

Hoping that the cellphone can do to the parking meter what it did to the pay phone, transportation officials say the technology provides convenience to drivers as well as savings to the city.

After a one-time registration online, drivers will simply use an app or text message to enter the number of the meter they are parking at and the amount of time they wish to purchase, said Bruce Schaller, deputy transportation commissioner.

"More and more is being paid by credit card, but the majority of parking fees is still cash," he said. "However, the main goal here is convenience for drivers."

During the pilot period, all revenue will go to the city, but vendors around the country generally charge fees to the municipality or to the driver.

Although muni-meters already accept quarters, credit cards and parking cards, paying by phone could speed the process and help keep people from getting ticketed, Schaller said.

But it may also help with enforcement, making it more challenging to feed a meter beyond the time limit, officials said.

The technology could even allow drivers buy back unused time, but it's unclear if officials would consider making that option available.

Seasoned city drivers had mixed feelings about phoning in their parking.

"That's a good idea, I would definitely use it," Mark Yaubov, 32, said after paying for a meter in front of his barbershop on East 13th Street and First Avenue.

"If they could just come up with something that would let you know about street cleaning, that'd be even better."

Mark Kerrigan, 48, disagreed, as he searched for a spot for his '63 Ford Falcon at 12th Street and Second Avenue.

"Frankly, life was a lot easier when the meters just took quarters," he said. "With the coins you knew when it worked. With these machines, you call 311 four weekends in a row and they still don't fix it."

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