El Paso drivers can now pay for downtown parking meters with their phone

The city of El Paso introduced a new and improved parking app on Monday.

The app, which is called Park 915, is meant to help drivers save time by viewing available metered parking spaces and pay for the spots through their phone. City staff admit that a previous app that was offered was not user-friendly.

In order to pay for the meters through their phone, drivers need to download the free Park 915 app and create an account. To pay for parking, users need to enter the zone and space numbers posted on the stickers and signs around the meter, choose the duration of time they need the spot for and touch the “start parking” button. The app will send alerts when the parking session is about to expire and users can extend their time if needed.

Staff members said the app will also help drivers find parking in the downtown area. The app shows all the parking spaces available in green, and the parking spots already taken are shown in gray. The parking spaces include metered and garage spaces.

City staff said they want to dispel myths about the shortage of parking in downtown El Paso.

“There’s plenty of parking and what we want to do is communicate that to the motorist so they’re not driving around looking for parking when they come to an event because they don’t want to be late.” Paul Strescow, director of the International Bridges Department, said. “Through the app, we’ll be able to show them available parking metered spaces and also garages.”

The map on the app lets users know the walking distance from their parking spot to the event they’re attending. It also lets drivers reserve a spot in one of the parking spaces ahead of time.

KVIA 2019