Delaware to allow wireless parking payments

DELAWARE — Using 1960s parking meters, the city of Delaware plans to soon roll out a wireless method of payment to feed them.

“This is our transition into the 21st century, the ultimate goal being to make sure we’re keeping up with our patrons who are getting more techsavvy,” said Kelsey Scott, the city’s economic-development specialist.

For years, the city has sought solutions to what some believe are parking headaches: too few spaces, unfair tickets or aggressive policing. There have been task forces, exhaustive studies and sometimes rancorous debates.

A blending of old and new will begin Monday, when meters in the Downtown district, representing about a third of the city’s 1,531 meters, will offer the service.

Motorists can either feed quarters into meters, download the Passport Parking mobile app or access it from a web browser or smartphone. When they park, they’ll key in a zone number to determine their rate. The meter won’t physically change and will appear to be expired.

But meter readers, when checking for expired meters, will use the vehicle’s license number to link to the app. If it is paid up, they’ll move on. If not, they’ll issue a ticket with fines ranging from $7 to $40.

The service will cost the city nothing. Passport Parking imposes a 10-cent service charge on users for each transaction. And if a ticket is issued by the city, Passport keeps 30 percent of the fine.

Columbus is praising Delaware’s approach. About 10 years ago, Columbus replaced all of its 4,500

traditional meters with those that accept credit cards. But that still requires people to stand in the snow or rain and fumble for a credit card.

Last year, Columbus began a mobile pay system — similar to the one that Delaware will begin — for about 600 credit-card meters in the Short North.

“If I had to do it over again, I would keep my old meters and introduce mobile payment,” said Robert Ferrin, assistant director for parking services in Columbus.

Columbus’ new system also allows drivers to add time to the meter using the phone app or a computer. So users should not have to worry about breaking away to feed a meter. Columbus charges users a fee of 25 cents per transaction for its Parkmobile app.

Holly Quaine, head of the Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, said she has heard little criticism so far.

“I feel the pain for the city,” she said. “They always try to do the right thing. And it seems they never do the right thing. Because whatever they do, people are going to complain.”