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App Offers New Way To Pay For Parking Meters, Avoid Getting Tickets

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's a new way to pay for parking at meters in the city of Pittsburgh, and a new way to avoid getting a ticket.

KDKA-TV News got an exclusive first look at GoMobilePittsburgh.com, the smartphone app created by Atlanta-based Parkmobile.

You can download the app here or through your phone's app store. Once you register your license plate and credit card number, you'll never need cash or a credit card to park at a meter in the city again.

To use the app, drivers will need to note the "zone number" posted on the parking kiosk closest to your car. You punch that number into your phone, choose how much time you want, and then your countdown timer begins. And you can do take care of all of that right from the driver's seat.

"You can do it from in your car if the weather's bad," says Pittsburgh Parking Authority Executive Director David Onorato.

But the app's biggest benefit is probably the alert it will send you as your meter time is about to expire.

Then, right from your phone, wherever you are, you can choose to extend your session for an additional charge.

For the city, it could mean fewer violations and fewer fines paid. The Parking Authority says that's fine.

"We want people to pay for parking, says Onorato. "The thought is, the increase coming in from meter revenues will offset the loss of ticket fines."

You'll pay a fee of 8 cents each time you begin a parking session with the app, with that money going to Parkmobile. There are no costs to the city.

The smartphone app is merely an additional option for drivers. You still choose to pay with coins and credit cards, without an additional fee.

Get more information and download the app at: http://gomobilepittsburgh.com

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