The mobile parking app ParkMobile, introduced in July, will replace CashKey as the stored value and fleet parking solution for on-street meter parking in Rochester. As a result, the CashKey program will officially sunset at the end of this year. Dec. 28 will be the last day that deposit refunds will be offered for returned keys.

In May 2017, the City of Rochester determined that both the hardware and software which ran the CashKey system were obsolete and could not be repaired. Discontinuing the program was postponed to give key holders an opportunity to spend stored value and to give city officials time to ensure a suitable alternative was put in place.

With ParkMobile, users have an option for a more convenient way to pay for meter parking in Rochester using a mobile device or desktop computer. Parkers simply enter the zone number into the app and select the amount of time they wish to purchase. Since July, adoption of the mobile pay app has been very rapid, with an average of 550 weekday parking sessions in October.

For businesses with a fleet of vehicles, ParkMobile provides a corporate account option to centrally manage on-street parking, including single payment of multiple vehicles, and the ability to monitor parking expenses across the enterprise. There is no cost to register, and no long-term contracts. Depending on payment method corporate accounts are eligible for transaction fees as low as $.10 per parking session.

Businesses in Rochester, such as Schmidt Goodman, who have begun using ParkMobile to manage on-street parking costs are pleased with new option. “ParkMobile has made managing multiple vehicles possible right from my desk,” says staff accountant Kari Harbaugh, “and the support staff are very responsive to my questions.” She concludes, “It makes my job easier.”

Businesses and individuals who currently have CashKeys can continue to use the stored value. However, with the conclusion of the CashKey program at the end of this year, keys must be turned in to the City Clerk’s desk at City Hall by close of business Friday, Dec. 28 to receive a deposit refund. Then, soon after Jan. 1, 2019, parking operations staff will be installing plugs on meters, making the keys inoperable.

For more information about creating a ParkMobile corporate account, visit the website support.parkmobile.io and search “fleet.”