The city of Rochester is introducing a new way to pay for parking on city streets.

Mayor Malik Evans said Monday that the city has launched a new mobile parking app that will allow motorists to pay at select parking meters using their mobile device. He said the city continues to modernize its parking meter technologies and the new app will “increase flexibility and convenience for those who work, play and visit our city,” Evans said.

It uses an app from the company Flowbird. Once you log into the app, you enter your license plate number, the length of time you want to park, and your payment information. There is a $0.35 processing fee.

Drivers can also pay via SMS by sending an SMS to the number displayed on the payment machine or parking meter. The driver will then receive an SMS back directing them to a secure link where they can enter their vehicle information.

Drivers who pay with their smartphone no longer have to place the paper receipt from the parking machine on the dashboard as before. The parking space monitoring system scans the vehicle’s registration to ensure that the parking space has been paid for.

Officials said the new app will also increase flexibility for people who want to park their car and then move to another parking lot in the city.

“Anyone who has business at the town hall or the district administration building or is in the city center for a festival or event can move their vehicle to another valid parking space and continue to use the same paid time until the original parking time has expired,” says Sarah Nowack, the city’s parking manager.

Drivers can continue to pay for parking at parking meters and parking kiosks using credit cards or coins. For more information, visit: www.CityofRochester.Gov/OnStreetParking