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San Francisco to Add Pay-by-Phone Convenience to Parking Meters
On Monday, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the City, issued a press release announcing that in conjunction with the SFpark project, it will add the convenience of Pay-by-Phone technology to San Francisco meters.
When launched later this year, the Pay-by-Phone service will enable drivers to pay by credit card instead of coins by using any phone or via the internet. Customers parking in San Francisco will also enjoy the ease and convenience of receiving a text message reminder before their meter expires, adding time to their meter remotely (subject to time limit restrictions) and receiving their meter receipts online.
In order to use the service, customers will first establish an account linked to a credit card either online or by phone. Customers will then make payments by entering the unique parking location number found on each meter. The total price will include the regular meter rate plus a convenience fee of up to $.45 per transaction initially to the vendor for this optional service.
Per a story posted by KTVU, the SFpark pilot program, unveiled last year, will start Thursday distributing real-time information collected by smart meters and sensors about where parking is available so that drivers quickly find open spaces.
SFMTA officials say the two-year program, being tested in select neighborhoods, will help reduce the carbon footprint of the city's drivers, who often have to circle around looking for spots, which wastes gas and increases pollution.
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Source: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
SFpark Overview from SFpark on Vimeo.
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