Work Around 2-Hour Meters: Tip-of-the-Day #351

I rather organically stumbled across an incredible parking meter hack. I parked in the Haight Asbury neighborhood in San Francisco on a recent Saturday. The spot was metered and it was absolutely a hard two-hour spot (which means you can’t keep plugging the meter for hours on end).

I typically use PayByPhone, an app that enables me to add time to my meter remotely, but I couldn’t get an Internet connection for some reason. So, I used my credit card to pay for the two hours but thought to take a photo of the meter before heading on my way.

Two hours later I realized I had to get back to my car to either move it or attempt to add time, but remembered I had that photo of the meter. I promptly opened the PayByPhone app, and entered the number on the meter (I was now able to get an Internet connection). From afar, I was able to add two more hours to my meter because I was now using a different form of payment and it recognized me as a new parker.

When I got back to my car two hours later, I still needed one more hour, so I reverted back to my credit card and was able to put yet another hour on what was originally a two-hour meter because again, enough time had lapsed in the “eyes” of the system for me to park again. In all, by toggling my methods of payment, I was able to remain in a two-hour parking spot for five hours.

Note, in some cities you may find that the meter “maid” will also mark your tires with chalk, so be aware of this. Happy parking!