It has been more than a year since drivers visiting downtown Phoenix could only pay for parking with cash. A year-and-a-half ago, the city installed credit card readers. In February, they made it possible to pay for parking by using the Pango smart phone app.
Monica Hernandez with the City of Phoenix said the new option has exceeded the city’s expectations. She said only 3 percent of those who park in the city’s available spaces use the app, but she expects the apps popularity to increase.
“People are just at this point familiar with the pay-by-cash, or the pay-by-credit card option. So, I think that has a lot to do with it. And I think with time people will begin to know about the pay by phone, Pango option,” she said.
Hernandez said no money has been lost since the city began offering the service. Pango, the company offering the payment option, provides the service to the city for free.
