Parking just got a little bit easier in Austin with the release of a new app called ParkX, which allows users to pay parking tabs remotely via a smartphone. Gone are the days when your meeting or workout class runs over, forcing you to sprint to your car in an attempt to avoid a pesky parking ticket.
The program, already implemented in Corpus Christi and El Paso, gives residents the ability to extend the time on the parking meter with the touch of a finger. “Users receive a warning text when their parking meter is about to expire so they can remotely extend their time limit,” reports KXAN.
Find yourself without change, yet again? Don’t fret, because ParkX lets users sign up online where they can link a credit card directly to their account. Users must also enter their license plate number.
New app lets users extend parking time remotely
Those without a smartphone can still use the app by calling or texting (512) 838-3874.
First time users will get one hour of free parking by entering the promo code “AUSTIN” in the wallet portion of the app.
“We’re excited to make parking easier all over Austin,” said Steve Grassfield, Austin’s Parking Enterprise Manager. “Now, you can pay to park with just a few clicks and you don’t have to worry about parking meters, stickers, coins or cash.”
The app works by letting registrants punch in their location and parking space number before selecting how long they wish to reserve the space. ParkX will prompt users to confirm their parking session details, after which a timely email notification will hit your inbox detailing the transaction.
The only downside to using the app is a 25-cent fee that’s applied to each transaction. However, it’s still cheaper than a parking ticket.
Finding a place to park in downtown Austin has become increasingly difficult as the city’s population continues to expand. Parking enforcement officials wrote 10 percent more tickets during the first half of 2015, compared to the same time period during 2013, according to KXAN.
Parking tickets mean big business for Austin
Parking enforcement officials wrote more than 100,000 tickets during the first half of 2015, generating more than $1 million – money the city purportedly uses for transportation funding.
Though Austin has doubled the number parking spots downtown over the last five years, increasing from 3,800 paid parking spaces to about 7,200, some doubt available parking downtown will ever be sufficient for Austin’s growing population.
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