Despite Park Atlanta’s upcoming contract expiration date in 2016, they will be unveiling a new parking app by early February 2014.
The Parkmobile app will allow Atlanta’s motorists to have the option of extending an active parking session by using the app, going to Parkmobile’s website or calling their toll-free phone number 866-727-5714.
Park Atlanta is currently running a testing pilot in Marietta Street until the end of December 2013. Anyone can participate in the testing pilot by going directly to Parkmobile’s website.
Valerie Bell-Smith, senior public relations Manager for the Department of Public Works explained the convinience of using the parking app.
“Say you’re at a restaurant for lunch and you parked at a meter. You thought you were only going to be in there 30 minutes, and you think you will be needing an additional time in your meter,” Bell-Smith said. “You don’t have to go digging around your purse for change and then run back out to the meter. You can easily just sit at your phone and use an app that will add time to your meter.”
The free app will be available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows smartphones, but an additional 35 cents will be charged for each transaction.
Just as the Parkmobile app was created because of customer feedback, so was the Citizen’s Parking Bill of Rights made in 2011. The Bill of Rights is an official part of the City of Atlanta’s parking program. It ensures that the meters are easy to use and working, parking spaces are clearly marked and signs are clear and understandable.
The implementation of customers’ comments is just one of the ways that Park Atlanta has tried to uphold its contractor agreement.
“Thus far, Park Atlanta has met the obligations of the contract,” Bell-Smith said. “They have experienced some popularity challenges just because people don’t like to pay for parking.”
The City Council of Atlanta and mayor’s office will decide before or during Park Atlanta’s 2016 contract expiration date if they will renew the contract, get another contractor or let the city take care of Atlanta’s parking program.
