We order food, find dates and hail a car service with our phones, and now New Yorkers in all five boroughs can add feeding the meter to the list with the launch of ParkNYC in Queens.
Announced Tuesday as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “City Hall in Your Borough” initiative, the Queens activation is the final step in rolling out ParkNYC. The program launched in Manhattan in December.
“In last year’s State of the City, we promised pay-by-cell at every metered parking space in New York City, and we have delivered” de Blasio said. “We know that especially here in Queens, parking can be a challenge, but ParkNYC now makes it a bit easier —with no paper receipt and the ability to quickly get on your way.”
While that means that there’s no more running back and forth to avoid that oft-dreaded parking ticket, using the app-based payment is optional. So if you still want to use coins or a credit or debit card to feed the Muni-Meter, that’s your prerogative.
“Now that drivers don’t have to leave their home, job or time with friends and family to feed the meter, we’ll see happier New Yorkers across the city,” said City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “This will help both drivers and the city better manage our metered parking spots and create new opportunities to improve parking in the city going forward.”
How does ParkNYC work?
To use ParkNYC, which is operated by a private vendor called Parkmobile, New Yorkers will need to:
• Download the ParkNYC app or visit parknyc.parkmobile.us/parknyc to register
• Enter an email address and phone number to create a password
• Input a license plate number for the account
• Load a wallet, which works similar to EZPass and can have increments as low as $25
• When parking, drivers will just enter the dedicated six-digit zone number found on a nearby sign or decal and the length of time they plan to park
• If time is running out — and the maximum time is not reached — drivers can extend their parking time without leaving their location
With regard to the aforementioned “maximum time,” the ParkNYC website said the app “offers the same increments of time and pricing as the parking meter in the same zone. The amount, duration and time periods are posted on signs on each blockside. Motorists must still follow all posted traffic rules and regulations (i.e. No Standing restrictions).”
