By CBS 5 News

A new pilot program exploring pay-by-cell-phone parking in San Francisco received backing from Mayor Gavin Newsom today. "Other cities around the world already use this technology, so there's no reason for us to not give our residents the same advantage," Newsom said in a written statement. The 90-day San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency program began Sept. 10 and is employing three different companies in test areas throughout the city in order to compare technologies, according to Newsom's office. Currently, parking meters in certain city-owned, off-street parking lots in the Richmond, Marina and West Portal districts are employing the technology.

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Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross
San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will be rolling out a pilot program Friday that will allow people to use their cell phones to pay their parking meters. The 90-day trial program will involve nine off-street parking lots in the Richmond, West Portal and Marina districts. New Parking Inc. is providing the service for free. Zipidy is charging a flat $5 per month to the customer. And Verrus Mobile is charging 35 cents per transaction. Read more »