Multi-space parking meters, known as MuniMeters, manage parking along commercial and retail corridors throughout New York City, with over 14,500 units citywide. The first generation of MuniMeters, introduced in 1989, required motorists to display a printed receipt on their dashboards. In 2015, DOT completed a transition to modern MuniMeters, which consolidated meter devices and increased available parking spaces per block.
Beginning in May 2024 in Upper Manhattan, DOT introduced a new generation of Pay-By-Plate parking meters to replace the previous Pay-and-Display model. These meters allow drivers to enter their license plate information directly, eliminating the need for printed receipts and cutting approximately eight miles of daily paper use associated with the older model. Once fully implemented across the City, Pay-By-Plate meters will enhance both user convenience and environmental sustainability through increased solar-powered energy efficiency, reduced maintenance demands, and improved visibility with upgraded digital screens. This system modernizes parking, supports digital enforcement, and optimizes curb space to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers—enhancing mobility, access, and the efficient flow of people, goods, and services.