Upgraded, paperless parking is coming

This is one of several prototypes for new pay-by-plate parking meters in Queens. New, upgraded meters are officially rolling out in parts of Manhattan on May 8 and will gradually transition to other boroughs.

Gary Jean-Juste

The days of leaving a paper receipt on your dashboard to not get a ticket may be ending.

The transportation department announced modern parking meters will rollout citywide. Rather than getting a paper receipt, drivers will have to input their license plate number.

Officials said this will save roughly 2,500 miles of parking meter receipts, enough to stretch from Riverdale to Los Angeles.

The official rollout begins May 8, starting in northern Manhattan and gradually progressing south. Installations for the Bronx and other boroughs aren’t expected until Spring 2025.

Ten prototype meters were recently unveiled in Queens, equipped with a solar panel up top, a modern, full-color backlit display visible in all conditions, and multiple language options. Users will input their license plate number and state either directly at the kiosk or in the Park NYC app.

Some local residents are embracing this new technology while others are apprehensive about it.

Van Kilpatrick, a Riverdale resident, told The Press he had no concerns whatsoever and could see the upgrades going international.

“I think it’s very convenient,” Kilpatrick said. “I think it’s very accurate and you don’t lose your money in there so it’s going to be consistent.”

Vikash Sarker, a New York Police Department traffic enforcement agent, told The Press they haven’t received any official word when the new meters be brought to the area. Currently, Sarker said, he has to look at car dashboards as well as scan online meters with a handheld device.

“For me it’s OK,” Sarker said of the new upgrades. “I believe older people (may) not accept it because it’s a little challenging.”

Ricky Perez of Ricky’s Auto Care on Riverdale Avenue said he is looking forward to the new system and believes it will save a lot of paperwork. Under the current meters, he said, he has had problems with the machines not accepting his card.

“We have to learn, to live and learn,” Perez said. “This is modern technology now. Everybody has to update themselves with the new technology.”

One man who is not thrilled about the new meters is Alvaro Geraldino, a barber at Nelson’s Barber Shop. He said the absence of paper tickets will make it harder to give your space to someone else if you still have time left on your meter.

“If you have a ticket you can give it to another person if you leave,” Geraldino said. “But (with upgraded meters) once you put the license plate and you have time remaining, you cannot do that. That’s the only part I don’t like.”

City officials said the new meters will help provide more short-term parking by improving parking enforcement. Upgraded meters will provide real-time data to NYPD traffic agents to ensure vehicles don’t overstay the meter.

Transportation commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez had nothing but praise for the new meters when he unveiled prototypes in Queens on April 8.

“Our new pay-by-plate parking meters are simple to use and will make short-term parking easier for everyone,” Rodriguez said. “Drivers can use the convenience of the Park NYC app to pay the meter while on the go.”

Police Commissioner Edward Caban said what’s inside the new meters is key.

“Incorporating evolving, smart technology into New York City’s parking management system will enhance drivers’ experiences,” Caban said. “This will be achieved by maximizing space availability and increasing turnover.”

The city currently has about 80,000 metered parking spaces across the five boroughs. The daily length of receipt rolls printed is about eight miles, according to the transportation department.

The new meters this will curb the city’s carbon footprint, officials said, adding the new meters will also lesson the amount of maintenance and repairs required, and reduce the amount of litter on the streets.

The Park NYC app, which has more than 1.8 million users, already offers a paperless option for users. Those transactions are automatically synced with NYPD parking enforcement systems.