This month the city of Walnut Creek introduced a new option to pay for downtown parking meters via cell phone app. Note there is an additional 35 cent charge for the privilege of paying via this method.
From a press release:
The City of Walnut Creek in partnership with Parkmobile, LLC, launched a pay by phone option for all 1,500 parking meters downtown. Customers can pay to park on-the-go using Parkmobile’s app for iPhone, Android, Windows, Amazon, and Blackberry phones, or by calling the toll-free number on the green meter stickers.
“The City is pleased to provide parking customers another way to pay for parking at the meter in addition to coins and credit cards.” said Carla Hansen, City of Walnut Creek Parking Manager.
Customers first must register by downloading the mobile app in their phone’s app store or online at www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, they may use the mobile app, internet, or the toll-free number listed on green meter stickers to pay for parking. After setting up their account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone.
Customers simply enter the zone and meter number located on the green meter sticker, select the amount of time they would like to park and “start parking.” The app allows parking sessions to be extended by phone without returning to the meter as long as the parking session has not hit the hourly limit. There is a $0.35 convenience fee paid by parking customers.
Other Cities throughout the Bay Area using Park Mobile include Oakland, San Rafael, Sausalito and Vallejo, San Mateo. The City plans to add the ability to use Park Mobile in the City’s three garages in the future.