MBTA to offer online and pay-by-phone for parking lot fees in Swampscott, Salem

SWAMPSCOTT-The days of getting a parking ticket because you are running for a train and don’t have time to feed bills one at a time into a little slot to pay could soon be over.As of July 23, motorists parking at the Swampscott MBTA commuter rail lot will be able to pay for parking a myriad of ways.MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said he is sure commuters will welcome the change.?For a long time now I’ve been hearing frustrated customers complain about having to cram dollar bills into a small slot to pay for parking,” he said. “I’m very pleased that we’re now able to provide our customers with a quick and easy method for making their payment.”The MTBA has partnered with Parkmobile USA to offer the new system in more than 70 owned MBTA parking lots. Davey said the new system will allow patrons to pay for parking online or by phone while they are in their cars or once they board a train, bus or commuter boat.Enrollment in the program is free and registered participants will have 24/7 access to their online accounts. Commuters will not pay a service charge or extra fee when paying for parking through this system. Davey said once the system is up and running, MBTA riders will be able to download a mobile application, send a text message using the Internet or place a phone call to pay for parking. Davey said when you pay for your parking by phone, your parking space number and parking time are displayed on a hand-held device used by the parking agentThe new payment system will be offered at select stations including Swampscott, Salem, Beverly, Gloucester and Rockport. According to the MBTA, the new system will not be rolled out in Lynn at this time.Davey said informational signs will be posted over the next few weeks to educate customers about the new service. Additional information is available at mbta.com.