Google Maps will implement a payment option in its mobile app to help manage and pay for parking starting Wednesday, February 17, the company announced on its blog. The app supports fare payment in more than 400 U.S. cities and fare payment for more than 80 transportation systems worldwide. These payment options are intended to reduce and even eliminate the need to swipe and tap debit and credit cards.

You can pay both parking meter fees and transit fares through providers like Parkmobile and Passport, which integrate with Google Pay. Upon arrival at the destination, a "Pay for Parking" button will appear on Google Maps. Enter the assigned meter number and parking time, then press "Pay" to complete the payment. If you run out of prepaid time, you can use the app to extend your parking time without being near the actual meter.

For public transportation, Google Maps allows users to plan and pay for trips within the app. This means that there is no need to go to a completely different program to pay for a trip in one area or to use a different app for a return trip. There is no need to find a ticket machine or a ticket counter. In other words, there is less hassle of losing a ticket because it is all done electronically. In most cases, one simply scans one's cell phone to get through the turnstiles and on to one's destination.

If you have not yet set up Google Pay and have not linked it to Google Maps or your Google account, you will need to set up Google Pay before paying for your trip. You will need a credit or debit card to do so. At this time, it is unclear if Maps will integrate with any other digital wallet cards besides Google Pay, or if this is a possible future feature.

Currently, this new Maps feature is only available to Android users in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. However, support for iOS and a broader rollout is planned. This contactless payment option should at least make getting around simpler, without having to worry about one's safety when touching potentially filthy and dangerous surfaces. Also, the elimination of the frustration of walking back to the parking meter (or to a potential ticket) is a major boon that should last long after the pandemic's restrictions are eased.