Hagerstown to consider virtual parking meter payments
Hagerstown to consider virtual parking meter payments
Parking meters have been covered in downtown Hagerstown since mid-March after the city announced that all parking is free until further notice. Tuesday, the council discussed a possible agreement with a company to allow wireless payments when charges resume.
People frequenting Hagerstown's downtown and adjacent streets and lots may soon have another option to pay for their parking meters.
Members of the Hagerstown City Council expressed support during a virtual work session Tuesday for a service agreement with PayByPhone Technologies to provide a wireless payment option for metered parking stalls.
A formal resolution for a three-year agreement will be presented to the council for a vote during its regular session later this month.
Jen Tankel and Adam Kriegel with PayByPhone said the system would have little to no upfront costs for the city, as the vendor waived setup and monthly minimum fees and will provide the first round of signs.
Drivers using the application will pay a $0.33 convenience fee, which goes to PayByPhone.
The city will still receive all the revenue from the parking meters, Tankel said.
The service doesn't require any changes to the city's roughly 700 to 800 existing parking meters, and coin payments will still be accepted.
Kriegel said the only thing PayByPhone would need to install would be signs alerting drivers to the service.
Tankel said PayByPhone, which is owned by Volkswagen, is available through Apple and Android phones, AppleWatch, Siri and Alexa.
The screen for the app will be customized for Hagerstown users, she said.
Users do not need to download the app or even have an account as guest access is available, according to Kriegel.
City officials suspended parking fees in mid-March to encourage people to use curbside pickups or make quick stops during COVID-19 restrictions.
Director of Public Works Eric Deike said if the agreement is approved by the council, the service could be available as soon as parking fees resume.
Alexis Fitzpatrick covers the City of Hagerstown. She can be reached by email at afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com.
