BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- After only a week since the launch of the app Parkmobile in Boise, there were 250 pay-by-phone transactions made at city meters. While the technology is new to downtown, it isn't new to the city.
Parkmobile has been in use on the Boise State University campus for three years now. City administration and campus parking enforcement both said it was a good experience, as did students.
"I liked it a lot better because you don't have to go back to your car, you just check on your phone. It made everything a lot easier," said Natasha Ingraham, a former BSU student.
Every parking meter in Boise now has a sticker on it displaying a zone number. Using the app you pay to park in that zone and essentially turn your phone into the parking meter.
The app should notify you when your meter is almost expired and give you the opportunity to buy more time, without going back to the meter. Many think it's a convenient step in the right direction, while some are not sold on the idea.
"I never know exactly how much time to put on there, so that would actually be really helpful for me," said Anthony Debrry, who frequently meets with clients downtown.
"I have a hard time just answering my phone. An app for me just wouldn't do it," said Paul Soverling, a Boise resident.
The meters and the app are not directly linked in the sense that you don't pay to park at a specific meter, and even if you pay using the app, your meter can appear expired.
This brought up the question, how do parking enforcers know someone has indeed paid to park?
Boise Administrative Services Manager Craig Croner says the enforcers have their own app which allows them to run the license plate of a parked car, and it will tell them if that car is paid for through the Parkmobile app.
He adds while not everyone will use the service, it came at no cost to the city, so it is an asset for those who do choose to use it.
"It gives them another alternative method to make a payment, and it also sends a notification back to the people so they don't have a parking ticket waiting for them when they get done shopping," Croner said.
There is a 25-cent transaction fee for paying through the app, however according to Croner the city doesn't collect on that; it all goes to Parkmobile.
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