The New York City Department of Transportation announced a new effort to discourage cash payments at the city's parking meters and encourage contactless parking payment by smartphone, according to a press release from ParkMobile, which provides a free parking app. The Pay-By-Cell option protects the safety of both DOT's workforce and the public by reducing physical interactions with the City's 14,000 meters.

Two different apps are now available for download to pay for parking at 80,000 metered spots across New York City:

ParkNYC: Launched in December 2016 and available for free download in the Apple Store or Google Play, ParkNYC allows account holders to pay for parking at any metered parking space on a new pay-as-you-go basis with no additional fees after loading an initial $25 wallet balance. The app was used for more than 22 million parking transactions last year.

ParkMobile: To enhance the Pay-by-Cell program and encourage contactless transactions, DOT is now temporarily offering the option to use the nationwide ParkMobile app for single transactions, for a 15-cent per transaction fee. While meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards, ParkMobile encourages all customers to consider their own safety and the safety of workers — and opt for mobile payments. The app accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.

"DOT is asking all New Yorkers who can to switch to Pay-By-Cell, which will reduce the need for physical cash transactions at our 14,000 parking meters. Contactless Pay-By-Cell reduces exposure risk for the public and our workforce," DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said in the press release. "Please help us reduce the need to physically service parking meters and collect, sanitize and securely store cash during this crisis."

Zone numbers on Muni-Meter decals and under parking signage will work in both apps. DOT encourages all New Yorkers who do not need to travel to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and expresses its greatest thanks to its own employees — and all other essential workers — for their continued work keeping the city running safely.

For an update on how the coronavirus is impacting the kiosk industry, click here.