DC Metro to test mobile payments for parking at commuter lots
DC Metro riders can join the future of mobile payments. Well, at least customers at the Rockville and Fort Totten stations can. The Metro announced that starting today, commuters at those two stations can pay for metered parking using their mobile phones.
The DC Metro is working with Parkmobile, a pay-by-phone parking system, to implement the new mobile payment scheme. Parkmobile already offers DC commuters mobile payment options at 17,000 parking spaces throughout the district.
According to DC Metro, mobile payments will now be available for Rockville station's 122-space surface-metered lot and its 22-space Kiss & Ride lot, as well as Fort Totten's 32-space Kiss & Ride. The current program is considered a pilot at the two stations. The plan is to gauge rider interest and satisfaction over the next few months.
To use the mobile payment option, DC-area commuters must register with Parkmobile to use an app on their iOS, Android or Blackberry device. They can also call a toll-free number to pay for metered parking.
Meters for parking spaces that offer the mobile payment option will have a decal showing the unique Parkmobile "zone" and the meter number. Commuters enter the meter number in the Parkmobile app and select the amount of time they wish to purchase. Purchases will be applied to the credit card they used when registering.
Additional options in the app include a transaction confirmation email or text, a notice that parking time is expiring, and an overview of parking history and payments with the ability to print reports.
Parking costs for parking are the same, but Parkmobile will charge 32 cents per transaction for mobile payments.
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