No pence, no problem – that's the story on paid parking in Port Hope as of Friday, thanks to the new HotSpot Parking App.
The new app will be available for all metered and pay-and-display parking machines within the municipality, giving drivers the option to pay from their smart phones by downloading the free app on both Apple and Android devices.
“This new app makes parking easier and allows a diversified option for payments,” Mayor Bob Sanderson said in the announcement.
“By increasing the municipality's technological capabilities, we are making it easier for residents and visitors to enjoy the downtown.”
This innovation has no effect on the standard municipal parking rates or the current coin-payment option, but it does offer a few extras.
The app provides the benefit of mobile alerts when you paid time is almost up, with a seamless option to extend time from your smart phone wherever you are. And if there is time left over, drivers can bank it as a credit to apply to their next trip (or donate it, through HotSpot, to United Way).
HotSpot charges users a 25-cent fee per use, with the option of a monthly $2 membership of an annual $20 membership. This might be a useful option for frequent users who also visit neighbouring communities with HotSpot locations.
The announcement included a reminder that HotSpot does not service electric charging stations.
To learn more about the app and parking within the municipality, visit porthope.ca/parking.
