Beginning August 7, 2014, visitors using on-street parking spaces in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square will be able to pay for parking via the PassportParking app.

By Ronni Newton

The new parking system for on-street spaces in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square already added an element of convenience by allowing parkers to pay, and add time, using coins or credit/debit cards at any of the solar-powered kiosks. Parking fees follow the vehicle and are tied to the license plate, so drivers can move their cars to another on-street spot within the same parking session.

Beginning August 7, iPhone and Android users will be able to pay for parking directly from their devices, by using the free Passport Parking mobile app to purchase time.

“The first step is to download the free PassportParking app from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android), or go online to www.m.ppprk.com or call 860-956-5990. Setup an account with PassportParking and then begin using it!” states a news release from West Hartford’s Municipal Parking Office. The transaction can be completed directly from the device, and users will also receive an alert when the session is about to expire so that additional time can be added.

According to the Town of West Hartford website, the following instructions should be followed when using the PassportParking app:

To initiate a parking transaction, open the app and enter the zone number. All on-street metered spaces in West Hartford Center/Blue Back Square are designated as Zone 860, just like the area code. The zone number is also posted at each kiosk. Next, enter your license plate number and select the amount of time you would like to park. There is a 25 cent convenience fee for each parking session. All other parking rates and terms apply in accordance with the Town of West Hartford.

The app utilizes MasterCard and Visa debit and credit cards, and according to the town’s website that “information is encrypted when you sign up and is never entered or displayed during a transaction.”

Another advantage of PassportParking is that it keeps a history of parking receipts, and offers the option of receiving receipts by email.

The PassportParking app is currently used for parking fees in Chicago, Fort Myers, Omaha, Louisville, as well as other cities, according to the town website.