Parking and travel fares to be payable in Google Maps

Ever reached your destination to find all the parking meters are full, or you don’t have the right coins to pay?

Well, now Google is taking out that hassle by allowing you to pay for your parking spot and public transport fares in advance, straight from the Google Maps mobile app.

On-the-go parking

By joining up with Passport and Park Mobile (two of the major US mobile parking apps), Google is making it easier for you to pay for your parking through driving navigations in Maps.

This should hopefully save you from rushing out to top up your meter halfway through your cappuccino. It also has positive implications for the post-pandemic world.

All you need to do is:

1. Tap on the “Pay for Parking” button which appears once you’re near your destination.
2. Enter your meter number and the amount of time you want to park for.
3. Finally, tap“Pay.”

If you need to add more time to your meter, you can easily extend your parking session with just a few more taps.

Google said: “Thanks to an integration with parking solutions providers Passport and ParkMobile, you can now easily pay for your meter right from driving navigation in Maps, and avoid touching the meter altogether.”

Tap and travel

The update is part of a development to the Google Pay platform.

In a post on its The Keyword blog, Google says it has secured arrangements with 80 public transport agencies around the world, allowing us to pay for our trips in advance.

 “Now you’ll be able to plan your trip, buy your fare, and start riding without needing to toggle between multiple apps,” it said.

“Once you’ve purchased your fare, all you need to do is tap your phone on the reader or show your digital ticket to breeze on board.”

Tapping into the needs of its users during the pandemic has been an area Google has excelled in.

Its host of Maps features also include information on testing and whether you’re eligible for a test, as well as indicating the location of vaccine centres. It has even been able to alert users to Covid hotspots.

Don’t get left behind, let 1st CENTRAL get you up to speed with the new features in automation.