Pay by phone parking set to launch Oct. 7

Paying for parking in any of more than 4,000 public spaces throughout the Village will get a lot more convenient come Oct. 7, as Oak Park launches a new program that accepts payment via a smartphone app or toll-free telephone call.

The new system will even send motorists text message reminders 15 minutes prior to the expiration of their parking session and allow them to pay for more time remotely.

“We are thrilled to introduce mobile payment technology throughout Oak Park,” said Jill Velan, Oak Park’s interim Parking and Mobility Services manager. “Mobile payment is the future of parking, and we believe the vendor we chose offers the easiest to use and most convenient system available.”

The new service is provided by PassportParking, an industry leader in integrated cloud-based parking solutions that offer user-friendly cashless payment options. The system also allows for more effective and efficient parking management and enforcement operations.

Passport’s mobile payment services already are available for public parking in the Illinois communities of Brookfield, Desplaines, Downers Grove, Glenview, Harvard, Morton Grove, Oak Lawn and Villa Park, as well as in privately owned parking facilities in several major cities including Atlanta, St. Louis and Salt Lake City.

To use the system, customers register via the free PassportParking Mobile Pay app or voice telephone system. The app is available for both iPhone and Android users. Simple registration instructions are located near each parking site.

Once securely registered, motorists can use the mobile payment option with the app, call a toll-free number or text the zone and space information posted at the parking site. A valid credit card is required to use the system and a 35-cent fee is levied for the initial transaction. Parking meters will continue to accept coins and pre-paid keys. And pay by space machines will continue to accept cash and credit card payments.

“Drivers are going to love paying from the warmth of their cars during the winter, and they will never have to worry about having change for meters or rushing back to their vehicles if they are running out of time,” Velan said. “The fact that businesses will be able to use the program to offer discounts and promotions for PassportParking customers who visit their stores is an added benefit.”

Drivers who use the mobile pay technology will be able to log in using a Facebook account to find nearby businesses that offer validation or other discounts.

“Oak Park will enjoy the benefits of the technology revolution that is sweeping the U.S.,” said Bob Youakim, Managing Partner of PassportParking. “The community will enjoy the simplicity of our mobile payment option and the many conveniences our technology offers.”