Stockton Rolls Out Cell Phone Enabled Parking Meters

In Los Angeles, Walnut Creek and many other California cities you can use your credit card to pay for the parking meter. No need to keep a roll of dimes and quarters in the glove compartment of your car. Technology is changing the way we live, in big ways and small. Now, Stockton is leading the way in an effort to keep you from getting a $43 parking ticket fine for being parked at an expired meter.

“Now with a cell phone app called Parkmobile, Stockton drivers can scan special stickers on parking meters.

You can pay to park using the app and get a text alert on your cell phone when you meter is down to 15-minutes.

If you’re stuck in a meeting blocks away, you can add more time on the meter with your phone.”

Does this do away with the “fuzz-lady” on her little golf cart type vehicle from giving tickets! Technology is making a difference. Wonder if the revenues from tickets will go down?

Stockton Rolls Out Cell Phone Enabled Parking Meters

Rich Ibarra, Capitol Radio, 8/31/15

Micah Runner poses outside Stockton City Hall.

Two quarters buy half an hour on a parking meter in downtown Stockton.

Now with a cell phone app called Parkmobile, Stockton drivers can scan special stickers on parking meters.

You can pay to park using the app and get a text alert on your cell phone when you meter is down to 15-minutes.

If you’re stuck in a meeting blocks away, you can add more time on the meter with your phone.

Stockton Economic Development Director Micah Runner says it’s good for drivers and it’s good for business.

“I mean really what you’re trying to do is help the overall customer experience and so the more you can attract people to feel comfortable coming downtown with m ore options to pay, the more successful the retailers can be.”

Christyn Giannini parks in downtown Stockton, she likes the convenience.

“I think that’s where we’re headed with technology so it makes sense, everything has to be done by phone now.”

You can still feed the meters with coins, but if you run out of time or money, a parking ticket is $43.