MIAMI, Jan. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miami Parking Authority (MPA), the municipal parking-management organization for the city of Miami, announced today that its parking-payment technology, PayByPhone (PBP), surpassed the milestone of more than 500,000 transactions in a single month on December 30, 2017.

In 2008, Miami became the first major U.S. city to adopt mobile payment for parking.  Since 2008, usage has steadily grown to the point of reaching an unprecedented half-million milestone in a single month last December.  Since its inception in 2008, MPA has worked steadfastly to market the benefits of PBP to residents, businesses and visitors to the Miami area by promoting the free payment app across multiple media platforms and through high-visibility special events. 

Operationally, the Authority in late 2014, took the unparalleled decision to absorb the fee assessed by PayByPhone to the consumer for the use of the mobile parking-payment technology. Thus, in December of 2014, customers who paid with PayByPhone no longer incurred the $.35 fee for the use of the service when they parked in Miami. Since then, customers are only responsible for the cost of parking, while Miami residents continue to enjoy a 20 percent discount when using PayByPhone. The MPA is the only parking agency in the state and one of the few nationwide to absorb the PayByPhone convenience fee.  That decision, in part, has made it possible for the Miami Parking Authority to become the largest parking organization in the United States and the second largest globally relative to PayByPhone transaction volume.  This accomplishment alone, has positioned Miami as a leader in parking innovation nationally and globally.

“The 500,000 milestone represents the hard work and vision of our combined team at MPA and our partners at PayByPhone,” said Art Noriega, Chief Executive Officer. “For nearly a decade, we have dedicated a great deal of time, effort and resources to enhancing the parking experience for our customers by offering them the latest technology available in the industry and by pioneering its adoption.  We are proud that our customers have wholeheartedly embraced PayByPhone and made their experience easier, faster and convenient.”

In the old days, meters and cashier attendants were the order of business, but the parking industry has undergone a technological revolution since the 1990s. Since the inception of PayByPhone, the MPA has eliminated 50 percent of the multi-space machines and 99 percent of the on-street single-space meters.

“Customers who patronize the Wynwood businesses like the convenience and ease of use of PayByPhone because they can relax while they shop knowing that they will be notified via text message when the meter time is about to expire and will be able to extend the parking session remotely without having to walk back to their vehicles to feed the meter,” said Manny Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID). The Wynwood BID is an eclectic area in the urban core of Miami. It is home to art galleries, retail stores, antique shops, eclectic bars, artisanal eateries and one of the largest open-air street-art installations in the world.

In fact, in November and December of 2017, respectively, MPA recorded 83.6 percent and 88 percent PayByPhone transactions in the city of Miami, thus setting an unprecedented record for the nation and the world as a leader in parking innovation.  This means that 83.6 percent and 88 percent of the customers who parked in Miami late last year used PBP when they paid.

About Miami Parking Authority
Miami Parking Authority, officially known as the Department of Off-Street Parking of the City of Miami, was created in 1955 by a Special Act of the Florida State Legislature and incorporated into the City of Miami’s Charter in 1968. MPA manages and develops on- and off-street parking in the City of Miami. It shares responsibility with the City of Miami Police Department and Miami-Dade County for enforcement of parking regulations. For more information, visit www.miamiparking.com.

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SOURCE Miami Parking Authority