PORT JEFFERSON, NY, August 19, 2020 – HONK, North America’s leading provider of contactless payments for parking, and the Village of Port Jefferson have teamed up to bring contactless payments to over 600+ municipal parking spots. This cost-cutting measure will not only help curb the spread of COVID-19 by eliminating high-touch pay stations in Port Jefferson, but provide a faster and easier way to pay for parking. Visitors now have two touch-free ways to pay: 1) Download the free HonkAPP from the AppStore or Google Play, or 2) Tap or scan their phone on a HonkTAP smart station for a quick checkout experience — no app download or account setup required. Last week Port Jefferson reported some 1,227 people TAPPED to PAY, resulting in an astounding 48% of revenue, compared with a previous high of 16% with Port Jefferson’s previous APP company.

This partnership is a win for both Port Jefferson and its visitors — not only are HonkTAP smart stations the quickest and easiest way to park, they also require zero maintenance with no downtime.

With no app to download or pay station to touch, drivers need only tap or scan their smartphone at a HonkTAP smart station. Built-in near field communication (NFC) technology allows drivers to pay for a parking spot simply and safely. Included in this technology is an option for drivers to receive text reminders when their parking session is set to expire, and the ability to add more time remotely. This popular feature is much-loved by visitors frequenting the fishing boats in Port Jefferson — no need to rush back if reeling in the next big catch is taking longer than anticipated!

The HonkAPP is another on-site contactless payment option for drivers who wish to pay for parking and manage a session directly from their phone. Users can save their most frequented parking spots for even faster access to pay. As with the HonkTAP option, drivers can pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and all major credit or debit cards.

“The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the need for digitized, touch-free parking payments,” said Kevin Wood, Port Jefferson’s Parking Administrator. “Since adding HONK’s tap and app payment options on July 1st, usage has skyrocketed and our help center has received very positive feedback.”

He added, “Port Jefferson was the first village to install parking meters, the first village to offer an app to park and now the first village to offer digital kiosks instead of meters. With the help of the Port Jefferson parking committee and the committed and visionary Mayor Margot Garant, our village prides itself on being thoughtful leaders in parking.”

“We’re proud to partner with Port Jefferson, and to help provide a safe, welcoming experience for visitor parking,” said Michael Back, HONK President and CEO. “It’s never been more important for tourist destinations like Port Jefferson to offer easy, touch-free parking payments, and HONK makes the parking experience clean and convenient for both drivers and the municipality.”

About Village of Port Jefferson

Port Jefferson is an incorporated village in The Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. Officially known as the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson, population is less than 10,000 but visitor parking sessions hover around 250,000 a year. Port Jefferson was first settled in the 17th century and remained a rural community until its development as an active shipbuilding center in the mid-19th century. The village has since transitioned to a tourist-based economy. The port remains active as terminus of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, one of two commercial ferry lines between Long Island and Connecticut, and is supplemented by the terminus of the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson Branch.

Kevin Wood
[email protected]
Parking Administrator
631-331-7275