A row of parking meters on O’Farrell Street in San Francisco.
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Google announced on Wednesday that Google Maps now allows you to pay for parking in more than 400 cities in the United States. Maps will also soon allow you to buy tickets for 80 transportation lines around the world, all without leaving the app.
Google has partnered with Passport and ParkMobile for the parking feature, which requires you to pay after you reach your destination. If available, all you have to do is tap “pay for parking”, enter the parking space number, confirm the color of the vehicle, and enter how long you plan to use the space. You can also extend the time from the application.
It works on Android right now, but Google said the feature will reach iPhone users in the coming weeks.
Google has said that Android users will soon be able to buy transport permits on Google Maps. If you are traveling on an accepted transit line, such as the New York MTA, for example, you will see a request that allows you to pay the fare ahead of time. Then use your phone and touch the turnstile as you enter a subway.
This is similar to the Apple iPhone, which already has built-in express shipping options supported by some shipping lines. If you set this up in the settings, just tap your iPhone on a tourniquet and it will pay you the price with your default credit card.