WILLIAMSPORT -- The city of Williamsport is testing new parking meters because it wants to phase out single space parking in some downtown lots.
Multi-meter parking is not a new concept, but for residents in Williamsport it is.
Williamsport Parking Authority employees gave residents their first look at a multi-meter machine.
"It gives you the opportunity -- if you are going to run out of town, you are in a meeting, you are at lunch somewhere -- you are not going to have to run back here to feed a machine. You can just do it straight from your phone," explained Todd Wright, Williamsport Parking Authority.
The Williamsport Parking Authority replaced 60 single-space parking meters in two downtown parking lots with new pay by plate technology.
One is set up on Market Street in the city.
"Initially when you come up, the first thing you are going to do is enter your license plate number," said a parking authority official.
"I put in my license number and then I press a little green button and then I put in my coin and then I got a receipt," said resident Kay Huffman.
"This information gets sent to our computer and we'll be able to see who is actually valid and how much time they have left," explained a parking authority official.
Refeeding the meters has become a little easier for people. Instead of having to put money in, now there is even an app for that.
"Knowing I don't have to leave would be extremely helpful," said Angela Deitrick.
The Williamsport Parking Authority bought 10 new machines for about $120,000.
"It's going to be interesting. I have to get used to it. I'm used to the meters," said Deitrick.
The system does not go into effect until next week so people, like Kay Huffman, get a chance to test it out. The city plans to add the other machines to more parking lots downtown.
"Oh, yes, you will have to get used to the newfangled ways of doing things," said Huffman.