Montreal Drivers Use Cell Phones to Pay Parking

Parking Meters
Parking Meters (Photo credit: jeffk)

Montreal Drivers Use Cell Phones to Pay Parking

The Montreal Gazette reports that authorities in the city are considering a system where parking can be paid for using a cell phone. Already used in other cities in Canada, pay-by-phone has become very popular with the residents and tourists alike. Without a large set of coins to pay expensive meters in downtown areas across the country, paying by cell phone adds a great convenience for all parkers.

Text Alerts before Expiration

One of the really nice features is the ability to get text alerts prior to your meter running out. Motorists are able to return to their cars or add more money through their cellphones before the expiration. And if you leave the parking spot before your time has expired, you can close the transaction and get a refund for the timing remaining.

Cellphone Storage Extra Income for Some Near Riker’s Island

Cellphone Storage Extra Income for Some Near Riker’s Island

In a recent story by the New York Times, entrepreneurs with small business near Riker’s Island and others are making extra cash by providing cell phone storage for tourists visiting the jail. With a complete ban of electronic equipment at the jail and a limited number of lockers available to store valuables outside the prison, some creative vendors and small business owners are providing storage for a small fee.

Mr Phone Man

Funny No Cell Phone Sign (Photo credits: www.smartsign.com)

A doughnut shop owner is Queens is holding valuables for tourists for a price. Also a newsstand owner in Lower Manhattan is providing a place for tourist to keep cell phones, cameras, beepers and other equipment until they have completed the tour of the island. And then there’s Robert Williams who is known as Bobby the Phone Man. Sitting next to the full lockers with a megaphone, brown sacks, and markers, he’ll keep your phone and other devices for $3. On a normal day he holds bags for 20 different tourists.