A row of parking meters on O’Farrell Street in San Francisco.
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Google announced on Wednesday that you can now pay for parking spaces in more than 400 US cities using Google Maps. Maps will soon also allow you to buy tickets for 80 public transit lines around the world, all without leaving the app.
Google partnered with Passport and ParkMobile for the parking feature, which prompts you to pay after you arrive at your destination. If available, simply tap “pay for parking”, enter your parking space number, confirm your vehicle color and enter how long you intend to use the parking space. You can also extend the time via the app.
It currently runs on Android, but Google said the feature will be available to iPhone users in the coming weeks.
Google said Android users will soon also be able to purchase public transport passes through Google Maps. If you’re traveling on a supported transit line, such as the MTA in New York City, you’ll see a prompt that lets you prepay your fare. Then use your phone and tap the turnstile as you enter a subway.
This is similar to Apple’s iPhone, which already has built-in Express Transit options supported by some public transit lines. If you set that up in the settings, all you have to do is tap your iPhone against a turnstile and it will pay your fare with your default credit card.