SFMTA Launches Advance Reservations at 16 City-Owned Parking Garages

"Drivers can reserve spots up to six months ahead at 16 of the city's 22 publicly owned garages. The agency says city-run garages are generally 30-40% cheaper than private lots, and the city offers flat-rate event parking at its Civic Center and Performing Arts garages. SFMTA notes that reservations are not available at the 16th & Hoff and Pierce Street garages or the Kezar Lot, and they will soon be available at the Japantown, Portsmouth Square, and Music Concourse garages."

"Reservations can be canceled up until the start time with no penalty for users who create an online account versus reserving as a guest. Payments are made at the garage by scanning a QR code, either digitally or printed out. SFMTA is also retiring payments through the PayByPhone app beginning in mid-May to be replaced by two new parking payment apps, HotSpot and ParkMobile, which are already active across the agency's parking meters."

"Drivers can still pay with cash or cards at the meter, while the new apps include the same basic functions as PayByPhone, including extending parking and checking remaining time remotely. Each app also charges a 35-cent convenience fee per payment. The agency notes that the PayByPhone app still serves as the primary mobile payment source for areas in town that fall outside of city jurisdiction, including the Presidio Trust, UCSF, USF, SF State, and private garage operators."

Drivers can reserve parking spots at most city-owned garages in San Francisco up to six months in advance through an online reservation system. The system launched after a pilot at the Civic Center and Performing Arts garages and covers 16 of 22 publicly owned garages. Reservations are not available at the 16th & Hoff and Pierce Street garages or the Kezar Lot, with availability planned for Japantown, Portsmouth Square, and Music Concourse garages. Reservations can be canceled up until the start time without penalty for users with online accounts. Payment is completed at the garage by scanning a QR code. The Pay by Phone app is being phased out and replaced by HotSpot and ParkMobile, which offer remote time extension and remaining-time checks and charge a 35-cent convenience fee per payment.

Read at sfist.com