NYC Puts Out Bid to Pay Meter by Phone

NEW YORK
While a few years ago parking meters (top) were commonplace, they are now overtaken by munimeters (middle) and by 2015, pay by phone meters (bottom). (Flickr)
While a few years ago parking meters (top) were commonplace, they are now overtaken by munimeters (middle) and by 2015, pay by phone meters (bottom). (Flickr)

New York City put out a bid for a contract on Thursday to allow drivers to feed the parking meter by phone or online.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that once a company is selected, motorists would be able to pay for parking at all 14,000 parking meters across the five boroughs without having to place paper receipts on their dashboard. They could either pay with a smartphone app or by calling a toll-free number, identifying their location by entering a number that would be displayed on muni meters.

Payment information will be instantly accessible to NYPD traffic enforcement agents on their handheld ticketing devices.

The contract, which officials say they expect to have running by 2015, follows a test program earlier this year in the Bronx.

“Innovative solutions like these are making it easier for everyone to get around New York City and will be a boost for business across the five boroughs,” Bloomberg said.

A different program to aid city drivers looking for parking was announced by the mayor last month. An embedded sensor would provide information about nearby open spots.

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