Pay for parking with smartphone app or any mobile phone at every meter in Somerville through partnership with Parkmobile USA rolling out in November

No more scrounging for quarters or having to run out to feed the meter to avoid a parking ticket. Beginning the week of Nov. 24, drivers in Somerville will be able to pay for parking at every metered space in the city by using Parkmobile’s smartphone app available for iPhone, Android, Windows and Blackberry phones, or by calling a toll-free number from any phone (no smartphone needed). Somerville will be the first city in the metro Boston area to offer this convenience through Parkmobile.

In addition to the convenience of not needing to carry coins for meters, Parkmobile app users can opt to receive notifications 15 minutes prior to their session expiring, allowing them to add parking time remotely by phone and avoid potential meter violations and fines. Parkmobile’s service may be utilized at all on- and off-street public parking spaces throughout the city.

“This is a huge benefit to residents, visitors and our business community, bringing the convenience of different payment options that’s already available at multi-space and credit card-accepting meters to every meter in the city through Parkmobile,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “For people running errands, shopping in our stores, eating in our restaurants and more, it means the end of hoarding quarters in your cup holder, trying to find a place near the meter to break a $1 bill, or rushing out mid-meal to feed the meter. For our businesses, it means that it will be even more convenient for people to visit their stores, offices and restaurants.”

To use Parkmobile’s mobile payment system, customers download the mobile app in their phone’s app store or register a new account at www.parkmobile.com associated with a credit card. Once registered, they may use the mobile app, internet, or a toll-free number to pay for parking. After setting up their account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. Each City parking meter will have a Parkmobile sticker that includes a number and a QR code. Customers either enter the number into the Parkmobile app or after calling the toll-free number, or scan the QR code with their smartphone, and choose how long they wish to park. A countdown timer in the app will show how much time is remaining on the meter and allow quick and easy extension of parking time.

“Bringing Parkmobile to Somerville is the latest step the city is taking to improve customer service and make life easier for our residents and our businesses, following the expansion of parking permits that can be purchased online,” said Suzanne Rinfret, Director of Traffic and Parking. “It also brings the convenience of paying for parking meters with a credit card to the whole city in a cost-effective and efficient way, by utilizing technology that many people already carry in their pockets.”

“Parkmobile is very proud to offer its mobile payments solution to Somerville,” said Cherie Fuzzell, CEO of Parkmobile USA, Inc. “This cutting edge technology offers customers a new and better way to pay for parking and is truly beneficial to them and the city. We hope to make parking a little less stressful by offering a technology that can make our lives easier and more efficient.”

Parkmobile will be rolled out throughout the week of Nov. 24, each meter will have a sticker denoting the space number and directions for use. Parkmobile’s services are used in more than 600 locations in the United States.