New York City Considers Bitcoin for Paying Parking Tickets

New York authorities are seeking to determine what level of integration with existing alternative payment systems is required to support mobile platforms, and to further identify compatible payment methods, such as Bitcoin, ApplePay and Paypal.

MOSCOW, December 26 (Sputnik) — The New York City Department of Finance has issued a request for information to identify and assess mobile platforms for paying parking tickets and are looking into alternative payment methods, such as Bitcoin and PayPal.

"To further improve customer service and efficiency, DOF is seeking information on how best to take advantage of new technologies and extend public access to government," a statement from the department said.

According to the request, New York authorities are seeking to determine what level of integration with existing systems is required to support mobile platforms, and to further identify compatible payment methods, such as Bitcoin, ApplePay and Paypal.

Bitcoin, an online payment system referred to as a virtual currency, uses a peer-to-peer payment network and operates without a central banking authority.

The NYC Finance Department, which annually issues between 8 and 10 million parking tickets, collecting some $550-600 million in revenue, wishes to understand whether mobile payment options could provide "greater ease" for car owners, the request read.

Currently, New York parking tickets can be paid online, though this option does not "refactor to display a mobile-friendly format when accessed through a mobile device," the department noted. More time-consuming options are also available, such as paying parking tickets in person or through the post.