WESTWOOD, N.J.—Beginning the first week of October, Westwood’s residents and visitors will be able to pay for parking on their mobile devices, in partnership with ParkMobile, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in the U.S.
Implementation of the ParkMobile app, for use at more than 800 on- and off-street spaces throughout the borough, is particularly timely. As Covid-19 restrictions are being eased, municipalities are grappling with ways to prevent the virus’ resurgence. Reducing touches on public surfaces is one way to increase public safety.
ParkMobile will coexist with Westwood’s current meter system, giving drivers the choice of depositing coins into meters or using the touch-free digital payment system.
This new technology comes at no cost to the Borough of Westwood. A convenience fee will be collected within the app for those who opt for a coinless transaction.
According to Mayor Ray Arroyo, the Parking Authority’s ability to give commuters and shoppers in downtown Westwood a modern, convenient, and safe option to pay for parking is most welcome.
“It highlights the borough’s ongoing efforts to improve the safety, accessibility, and appeal of its central business district for residents, business, investors, and visitors,” he told Pascack Press on Sept. 30.
After considering recommendations from the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force, the Parking Authority moved quickly to re-engage with ParkMobile, one of several potential vendors the Authority had been actively vetting throughout 2019.
According to Parking Authority Chairman Joe Letizia, “While ParkMobile was initially considered for the Borough Hall commuter lot, the pandemic inspired a more expansive decision to implement ParkMobile town-wide.”
Councilwoman and Westwood Parking Authority Liaison Cheryl Hodges added that “Westwood is very pleased to offer more meter payment options. As council liaison to the Health Department, and a professional in the healthcare field, I appreciate the benefit in reducing opportunities for viral transmission.”
How it works
To pay for parking with the ParkMobile app, a user enters the zone number posted on the stickers and signs around the meters. The user then selects the amount of time needed and touches the Start Parking button to begin the session. The user can then extend the time of the parking session right from the app, without having to go back to the meter.
Stickers will begin to pop up during the first half of October. In addition to the on screen directions within the user-friendly app, how-to guides will be posted in municipal parking lot kiosks and on the borough website, westwoodnj.gov.
Information on purchasing of resident and nonresident commuter decals for use of the Borough Hall lots will be released in November.
Also employing ParkMobile technology are Newark, Hoboken, New Brunswick, Jersey City, Asbury Park, Ocean City, and Atlantic City.
Beyond the Garden State, the app can be used to pay for parking in over 400 cities across the U.S. and is widely available along the Northeast corridor from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia to New York City.