Pay-by-phone parking meters are coming soon to Minneapolis.
Minneapolis to test mobile parking payment
Minneapolis will be field testing the new technology this year.
September 20, 2014 at 3:17AM
Several months after the city requested proposals from companies willing to provide the service, the city staff is recommending Georgia-based Parkmobile USA.
If approved by the City Council, the technology will be rolled out in 2015. That's following a limited field test this year.
Mobile payment systems allow drivers to easily add money to their parking meters by using a smartphone app or making a phone call.
Some additional benefits envisioned by city staff members include using text messages to alert users their space is about to expire and allowing users to pay for a parking space while inside their vehicle during inclement weather. Seattle; Washington, D.C., and Houston already have similar systems.
Implementing the system is expected to have "minimal to no cost," according to a staff report. It may reduce parking capital costs, since there could be less need in the future for physical pay stations.
Other companies that submitted bids include CALE, IQA, MobileNow, Pango, Passport and Software for Good.
Parkmobile's website shows that it already provides services for some private lots in Minneapolis. The city's Transportation and Public Works Committee will discuss the contract on Tuesday.
Eric Roper • 612-673-1732
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