Mobile Meter Payment to Officially Launch in Ferndale
Parkmobile, a pay-by-phone or smart phone app program, officially launches Thursday.
Sick of trying to dig up a few coins for the meter? Now there's an app for that.
The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority is officially unveiling the Parkmobile, or pay-by-phone, parking app and 800 number Thursday. The DDA said Ferndale shoppers should begin seeing Parkmobile stickers on parking meters by this weekend.
The DDA and the city will hold a ribbon cutting at 231 West Nine Mile Road at 4 p.m. on Thursday to officially launch Parkmobile.
How it works
- Download the app at http://us.parkmobile.com/ and start setting up your account. The app is free, but convenience fees do apply per transaction.
- After parking, launch the mobile app or call 1-800-280-4146.
- Enter the parking zone number located on the meter or nearby signage.
- When you're ready to leave, call the 800 number or use your mobile app to stop the meter and pay for the exact time parked.
The DDA says some of the perks include being able to add time without revisiting the meter and once you're signed up, you can use Parkmobile anywhere in the world.
A transaction fee of 35 cents will be charged, but regular visitors to Downtown Ferndale may sign up for a reduced transaction fee of 25 cents when setting up an account.
For more information, visit www.parkmobile.com or call the DDA at (248) 546-1632.
Lucas Zdenek
9:06 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I will definitely use this! I never seem to have enough quarters when I go to work. When I saw all the stickers on the meters last week, I downloaded the app and get my account set up. The only thing I question is whether or not this will be good for the city since it will probably reduce the revenue from parking tickets.
@Terry, any word on how the city feels about this? Are there any studies being done to determine whether, if used effectively, this will be a benefit or a burden?
Garett
9:42 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Ferndale is bringing a new convenience to their citizens and visitors making life easier to pay for parking. In all honesty, the city doesn't want to issue tickets as it obviously angers parkers. The system allows people to start a transaction and have the peace of mind they won't get a ticket. This system also didn't cost the city anything to implement as Parkmobile fronts the cost. Try it out and use it across the US when traveling!
MontiLee Stormer
2:46 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I'm curious as to whether this would stop people/who feed meters or encourage it. Royal Oak, for example discourages feeding the meter when your time is up. Does Ferndale have a similar policy?
Terry Parris Jr.
3:24 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
People who feed the meters for cars that aren't theirs?
Lucas Zdenek
12:27 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I think what MontiLee is referring to is a person parking at a 3 hour meter and coming out to feed it instead of vacating the spot when their time runs out. Ferndale has short-term and long-term meters for that specific purpose but many, myself included, don't necessarily use them that way. Correct me if I'm wrong in assuming that is what was meant.
Guy Fawkes
3:35 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hm! Once the City of Ferndale stops giving me free parking for a one time annual $8 fee because I drive a hybrid ... I may consider this!
Meanwhile? That'd be me over there with the "EXPIRED" light flashing at the Meter Man walking right on by! :-)
Ferndale_1986
2:21 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
"one time annual $8 fee because I drive a hybrid"
MORE SOCIAL ENGINEERING FROM THE FLAMING LEFT-WINGERS IN CITY HALL.
YEA.
Terry Parris Jr.
2:30 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Ferndale_1986: When was the last time you thought council got it right? When did they become all "Flaming left wingers"? What era of Ferndale would you like to return so you didn't have these "flaming left wingers" socially engineering parking permits?