New York City launches parking payment app

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Lots of New York drivers just received an unexpected gift this holiday season. The city's Department of Transportation just rolled out a new system called ParkNYC that allows motorists to pay for parking using an online system. So when you're out for dinner, no need to leave your meal mid-course to refill the meter; just do it through this free app on your phone.

"You'll no longer have to fumble for change or get those little muni meter receipts and put them on your dashboard," DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said. "You'll be able to have the innovation of just pressing an app, putting in a number, and paying for your parking through that app."

After creating an account, just open the ParkNYC app on your phone. Then enter the specific zone number, found on the side of the nearest muni meter. Select the length of time you need the parking spot for. Confirm the details and then you're all set. The app links your registered license plate numbers to traffic officers' handheld devices so they can confirm your payment.

The city says it doesn't expect to lose any money on this. To use the system, you actually need to load money onto the app beforehand in increments of $25. So if you don't think you'll spend 25 bucks over time on meters, the app probably isn't for you.

If you're not that technologically savvy or if you just prefer to just pay your meters the old-fashioned way, don't worry, you still can. But if do like this new system good news for you. It is coming to all 85,000 muni meter parking spot in the city by summer 2017, according to the DOT.