MBTA to expand pay by phone program in lots

BOSTON - Soon fumbling for change will be a thing of the past in most MBTA parking lots.

A new service will allow drivers to pay for their daily spot right from their cell phone.

"It's the only way to go. Why would I want to deal with three dollars worth of coins?" said one parking lot user.

The MBTA is planning to expand its pay by phone program, which began last December in a handful of commuter rail and ferry lots, to all T owned parking lots that use the honor box payment system.

Customers who have been testing the new program love it.

"I've been using it for about maybe three months. It's great. It's very convenient," said another parker.

To use the service, drivers sign up online using their credit card and cell phone number to set up an account.

Then, when parking, drivers just call the toll free phone number from their cell, type in their location and parking space numbers.

The fee is charged to the driver's credit card.

MBTA riders are welcoming the no-cash option.

"It allows you to go away for you know more than one day at a time and not have to worry about stuffing dollar bills into little slots. It's just more convenient," said another MBTA rider.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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