Pay-by-phone parking meters are coming soon to Minneapolis.
Several months after the city requested proposals from companies willing to provide the service, city staff are recommending Georgia-based Parkmobile USA.
If approved by the City Council, the technology will be rolled out in 2015. That's following a limited field test later this year.
Mobile payment systems allow drivers to easily add more money to their parking meters using a smartphone app or through a phone call.
Some additional benefits envisioned by city staff include using text messages to alert users their space is about to expire and allowing users to pay for a parking space while inside their car during inclement weather.
Other cities, including Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Houston, already have similar systems.
Implementing the system is expected to have "minimal to no cost," according to a staff report. They expect it may reduce parking capital costs, since there may be less need in the future for physical pay stations.
Other companies that submitted bids include CALE, IQA, MobileNow, Pango, Parkmobile, Passport, Software for Good.
Parkmobile's website shows they already provide services for a number of private lots in Minneapolis. See the map at left.
The city's transportation and public works committee will discuss the contract on Tuesday.
