IS MOBILE PAY ONLY THE WAY TO GO

by Brent Matthews, Director of Parking & Facilities at CARTA/CPA 

In Chattanooga, we recently evaluated areas that had not previously had paid parking, looking for the best way to implement a new system. At the time, our downtown area consisted of both single-space meters and multi-space meters, and we wanted to explore options for managing parking in new areas.

After consideration, we decided to pilot a mobile-pay-only zone as a trial in a 280-space area. We knew this would come with challenges. One of the biggest was being able to make all signage clear and easy to follow. We also expected some resistance from local businesses, so we made efforts by going door-to-door, meeting with restaurant and store owners to explain the program in detail and listening to their concerns.

To help encourage compliance, we chose to provide two payment methods: a text-to-pay option and an app-based platform. Additionally, we included a 24-hour helpline for those who needed assistance. Initially, the text-to-pay method was the more popular choice, but over time, the app-based payment system became the preferred option. We believe this reflects the frequency of repeat parkers and ease of use.

Six months into the trial, we decided to expand the mobile-pay system to other areas. Now, over 1,000 spaces—representing nearly one-third of our meter spaces—are mobile-pay only. This transition has allowed us to eliminate many single-space credit card meters and multi-space machines, resulting in significant savings on monthly meter costs and credit card transaction fees. It has also freed up our staff, reducing the time spent on collecting payments and fixing meter issues. One of the best parts is that we were able to repurpose old meter poles, minimizing the need for new installations, with signage being our only major cost.

Although I had initial concerns about the public's reaction and potential backlash from local businesses, we've received very little negative feedback since expanding the program. In fact, the overall response has been largely positive. We're continuing to explore new parking areas and plan to manage them using this same method.

If you're looking for a way to streamline parking management while reducing costs, I highly recommend considering a mobile-pay-only option.