Real-time parking availability information in San Francisco has been expanded to include a smartphone app on Google’s Android phones, transit officials announced today.
SFpark, a two-year pilot program by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, seeks to provide drivers with real-time information on what metered parking spots are open in several neighborhoods around the city, as well as spots in 13 city-owned parking garages.
Starting in April, SFMTA officials made the parking information available online at www.sfpark.org and on an iPhone app. In September, the program was expanded to allow drivers to receive text messages about the availability of spaces in the parking garages.
As part of the program, the SFMTA introduced demand-based rate changes, where meter rates can rise as much as 25 cents when there are a lack of parking spaces, and drop by as much as 50 cents when there is a glut of empty spots.
“With SFpark, San Francisco is the first city in the world to pursue a comprehensive parking-based approach to congestion management and greenhouse gas emission reduction that will also support local merchants,” Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement.
“Multiple mobile options make this solution easy and convenient.”
As with the iPhone app, Android app users will be reminded not to use the smartphone while driving, and an additional reminder will be triggered if the phone is detected moving faster than 10 mph.
To download the Android app, visit www.sfpark.org/Android. To download the iPhone app, visit www.sfpark.org/iPhone.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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