The Westfield Police Department will be replacing several parking meters throughout the downtown area with new, user-friendly meters. These new pay stations will allow users to pay with a mobile app, or by using cash, credit and debit cards, meter tokens or smart cards.
The new meters are also more environmentally friendly, as they have solar panels attached to the tops of the stations. This mobile app, mpay2park, is not new to Westfield but these meters will increase its use in the town. In December of 2012, the WPD implemented the app-compatible meters as a trial run, according to thealternativepress.com.
The app has several useful features that include allowing users to view the time remaining on their phones at all times, and, subsequently add more time if necessary. The app also allows users to locate their car in large parking lots. The hope is that the app will allow many to avoid parking tickets and also eliminate lines at meters.
Senior Jagger Linsky said: “I think being able to pay anytime and anywhere is so convenient. It’s going to be such a nice luxury.”
Students can register online at mpay2park.com to start using the mobile app.