Story Created:
Apr 24, 2009 at 8:31 AM AKDT
Story Updated:
Apr 24, 2009 at 9:04 AM AKDT
Some new technology has made its way to the last frontier, specifically, to Alaska's largest city. It's another option to paying an attendant or pay station when parking downtown. It's an exclusive pay-by-phone service, and it appears to be catching on.
For the next 3 months, the ACDA is making it easier for you to visit downtown Anchorage. Wherever you see big green banners at 8 city lots, you can park and pay from your cell phone.
Rick Onstott is ACDA's Parking Director, "We've had 80 transactions in 8 days, an average $4 per transaction. So, we're off to a decent start."
There are 2 ways to get rolling. You can call the phone number at the parking lot to set up an account tied to your bank, or do it yourself online. After that, just follow the directions using your keypad, and you're good to go.
"We're trying to help people eliminate the chance of getting a ticket," says Onstott, "we think this does it."
And if time's almost up, you can add more with just one call. When you pay by phone, what you're really paying for is convenience. You don't have to leave wherever you're at to run to the meter. And on a rainy, windy day, who can blame ya?
Judy Ramos, a business traveler, is always digging for quarters. "when I have business meetings downtown, or digging in my purse, or have to run and buy something from the coffee shop to get quarters -- it's a real problem."
Maka Monture agrees, "when we were here for New Year's, we had to go out every half hour to pay the meter. So this'll be more convenient for us."
And when you travel to the Lower 48, you can take your account with you. Anchorage is one of a hundred cities in North America with this exclusive pay-by-phone parking service.
Neil Wahlgran is visiting Anchorage, "it sounds like a great idea -- not having to check your meter, just to look on your cell phone. It'll save a lot of time - I'd definitely use it."
This is a free trial period through July 13th. Just be sure you park at a lot run by the city with the green banners and not a private company. An added feature when you pay by phone, you can get an e-mail sent to your inbox.
For more information on how this works, visit muni.org/parking.
