Here’s some pretty awesome news to start our your Thursday from the City of Champaign. You’re now able to pay and refill your meter from your phone. Yes, it’s true. Check out the information via their press release below:
NEW MOBILEMETER APP SIMPLIFIES PAYING FOR PARKING IN CHAMPAIGN
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Drivers in Champaign no longer need to worry about finding loose change or running back to feed an expired parking meter. They’ll be able to conveniently pay for parking using their smartphone.
Beginning mid-April, the City of Champaign will implement MobileMeter, a new service that allows drivers to quickly and easily pay for parking with their mobile phone. MobileMeter will work at all of Champaign’s metered parking spaces. This innovative new service not only makes it easy to pay for parking, but it also provides drivers with friendly reminders about an expiring meter and the convenience of often extending their time without having to return to the meter.
“Paying by mobile phone provides our residents and visitors with a whole new level of convenience and flexibility when it comes to paying for parking,” said Kris Koester, Public Information Officer for Public Works. “With MobileMeter, people parking in Champaign no longer need to worry about how much time they have left or running back to the meter to add more time. Now they can focus on all the great things Champaign has to offer.”
Decals will be applied to all Champaign parking meters to inform users about this new payment option. To start, drivers must first sign up for a free MobileMeter account by downloading the app, visiting www.mobilemeter.us, or by calling 217-207-3033 (all listed on the parking meter decals). Once registered, customers can pay for parking by using the app, the website, or by calling 217-207-3033. To save time when using the app for the first time, drivers can complete the registration process now at www.mobilemeter.us. Customers can pre-load time into their account using the MobileMeter wallet. Customers who load $10 or more in their pre-paid wallet will receive $1 in additional credit.
When using the MobileMeter app to pay for parking, the parking meter’s display will not update to show the time remaining, but parking enforcement staff will know that the meter has been paid for via their wireless handheld devices. Drivers do not need to display any proof of payment on their vehicle.
To develop the MobileMeter app, the City of Champaign partnered with Passport, a leader in mobile payments for parking and transit. Locally, Passport serves more Illinois municipalities, universities, and private parking operators than any other mobile payments provider. The company also developed ParkChicago, Chicago’s mobile parking payment application.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the City of Champaign to improve the city’s parking experience,” said Bob Youakim, PassportParking, Inc.’s Managing Partner. “As someone with strong family ties to the Champaign area, I know all too well the frustration of trying to park downtown and not having any change to feed the meter. This service will ensure residents and visitors to Champaign no longer have to feel that same frustration. We look forward to building our relationship with the City and serving the Champaign community for many years to come.”
To learn more or to setup a free account today, drivers should visit www.mobilemeter.us.