Perhaps it is the snobbery that associates sophistication with living on one of the two coasts, but when most people think about cities that are being innovative when it comes to mobile payments, Minneapolis probably isn’ their first thought. New York, San Francisco or London perhaps, but probably not Minneapolis, or its twin, St. Paul.
Yet in Minneapolis it will soon be is possible to pay to park by phone.
The city staff has recommended Georgia-based Parkmobile USA, and if the City Council approves, the technology will be rolled out next year. (Following a limited field test this year.)
Apart from phone-based parking payments, city staff also envisions a future where residents can be alerted via text to fee their meter, or pay from within the car when the weather is bad, Houston, Seattle and Washington D.C. already have similar systems.
Implementing the system is expected to have “minimal to no cost,” according to a staff report. Park Mobile already offers services to some private lots in the area. The company beat out CALE, IQA, MobileNow, Pango, Passport and Software for Good for the staff recommendation.