New tech will allow New York drivers to pay for parking using app

BELMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- New York is about to take a new approach to dreaded meter parking.

New Yorkers will be able to pay for city metered parking spaces with cell phones by the end of 2016. Drivers can park without stopping at the meter and printing out receipts.

"No more fumbling for change or scrambling to the meter to beat a ticket," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Drivers also can add more time to meters by phone, and get credit for unused time they pay for.

There are 13,700 meters across the five boroughs that govern 85,000 metered parking spaces. They accept coins, New York City Parking Cards and credit cards, and will continue to do so.

The Department of Transportation is developing the mobile application for drivers, and according to the city, there is no added cost from this proposal.

The new system was tested in a pilot program in the Bronx's Belmont neighborhood, using 264 parking spaces and a 57-space DOT parking lot.

De Blasio will officially announce the new technology during the State of the City Thursday evening.