The following is from the South Orange Parking Authority.
Cash-free parking has come to the whole Village. “Mobile Now,” the pay-by-cell parking payment option, piloted for the last two years by the South Orange Parking Authority, is now available throughout town.
“The South Orange Parking Authority is pleased to partner with MobileNOW! to bring to all of South Orange another convenient payment option,” said Mark Hartwyk, Director, South Orange Parking Authority, in a press release. “After a successful year piloting this program at two train stations, we have now made it available at all meters and pay stations. We look forward to future collaborations with MobileNOW! to bring South Orange additional value added parking options.”
Mobile Now was introduced in 2013 at South Orange and Mountain train stations. As of Aug. 7 it is available at all pay stations and single-space electronic meters.
Drivers pay by phone for the maximum time allowed or less. A warning from your cell phone is emitted when time is about to expire. Time is not displayed on meters themselves, and any add-on must be completed before the current session expires.
The system works with any cell phone. Simple instructions for setting up a Mobile Now account appear on every meter. Once the account is established, simply park and phone in the space number displayed on the meter. There’s no need to use coins (though all meters continue to take dimes and quarters). If you’re in a rush, you can pay while already walking to your next destination or the train.
Every meter bears a prominent identifying number in a red, white and blue label, which also lists a phone number and website should you require assistance.
Officers enforce the meters by logging onto the Mobile Now website to determine payment status.
“We are very excited to expand throughout the charming Township of South Orange,” said John Oglesby, MobileNOW! President and CEO. “We are confident that the Township’s residents and commuters will continue to enjoy the convenience of mobile payment, and adoption will continue to rise.”
In the coming months, South Orange anticipates leveraging additional MobileNOW! programs and functionality to further integrate parking mobile payments with merchants and the community.
Oglesby added, “We look forward to working with the Township’s merchants to roll out our merchant validation program, where patrons may receive free parking as a loyalty incentive by using the MobileNOW! app.”
