Google Maps is rolling out a new feature that will allow users in Austin, Texas to pay for parking fees in the city directly from within the platform. The new capability is courtesy of a partnership between Google and Passport, a transportation software firm.
Passport announced today the collaboration meant to enable direct payment for parking through Google Pay. The feature is available starting today on iOS and Android, with plans to make it available to more areas over the next few weeks.
Vishal Dutta, Product Manager for Google Maps, said:
“We’re excited to work with Passport to help drivers in Austin pay for parking more quickly and conveniently right from Google Maps. Google Pay and Google Maps were able to seamlessly incorporate Passport’s software, which helped us bring this feature to life.”
In addition to Maps" mobile app, drivers can also visit Google Pay"s website from their phone’s browser in order to process their payment. Users can pay by tapping the "Pay for Parking" button at the bottom of the app when approaching their destination. There"s also an option to set the duration of parking before choosing a payment method.
City Manager Gina Fiandaca mentioned some benefits that this feature presents to drivers, such as improved convenience and reduced physical contact with "parking meters or ticketing machines in light of the current global pandemic".