New parking meters that accept mobile payments have been deployed in the Bronx. The New York City borough will now have 264 spaces over 18 blocks, and at the Belmont Municipal Parking Field operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The meters are part of a pilot program being conducted in a partnership between the city and mobile payment provider PayByPhone.

The mobile payment-enabled meters are a part of New York's efforts to update and improve parking. Users of the system can pay using the phone, web or the PayByPhone app at the same cost as feeding a traditional meter with coins. The PayByPhone system will also send a text message or email warning motorists when their time is expiring.

To use the system, motorists must sign up on the PayByPhone website and register their license plate numbers and credit card information. There is no cost to participate.

"Today, we're launching a pilot pay-by-phone parking initiative along 18 metered blocks in the Arthur Avenue Business Improvement District as well as an online parking availability map for the area that motorists or passengers can see on the web and on their smartphones," said Mayor Bloomberg. "These new initiatives are just the latest examples of our work to bring parking and driving in New York City into the 21st century."

Along with making it easier to park, the system will also help the New York City Police Department enforce parking regulations. NYPD officers will carry handheld units that will provide real-time information on payments before a summons is issued. (That same information will be provided to motorists in case of a contested ticket.)

PayByPhone is providing similar services to cities and parking lot management companies around the world. Cities served include San Francisco, Miami, London and Vancouver, the company said.

Read more about in-app payments.