Parkmobile or Uber downtown!
Summer season is fast approaching, and getting downtown and finding a parking space can be challenging at times. I am not going to sit home and let the tourists eat all the French fries and soft cones.
I am a huge fan of Parkmobile in Rehoboth and now in Lewes as well. I never have to keep a roll of quarters stashed in my console. Parkmobile sends a 15-minute warning for deactivation, so I can add minutes to my meter without leaving the restaurant or the store where I am shopping. It is easy and stress free.
If you are interested, register your vehicle at www.parkmobile.com. You provide your license number and a credit card so they can debit the amount. They do add a 50-cent fee for each transaction, but it’s worth it to me. What if you were short two quarters?
You do not have to have a smartphone to use this system, but many people download the app. Every meter has a phone number printed on the Parkmobile sign. Simply call the number from your phone and it will ask you for the number printed on the meter and then it will ask if you want to park by the minute or the hour. I actually prefer to call because the iPhone app takes longer than the one-minute phone call and it’s easier than seeing the screen in the sunlight.
The voice recording also tells you the maximum number of hours you can park in any given space, and this is very important in Rehoboth, because some meters are restricted to two hours while others offer eight.
A few weeks ago I found myself in Frederick, Md., and was ecstatic to use Parkmobile rather than the garage around the corner. I parked in front of the restaurant where I wanted to eat. So if walking is difficult for you or your passenger, this is for you!
When I met a friend in Washington, D.C., last month, I decided to try Uber to get around town. I downloaded the app on my phone, typed in my location and my destination, and within one minute, I was informed that a Toyota Prius and Mario would arrive in six minutes. He actually arrived in five.
You know the make of the automobile and the driver’s name, and they know your name too. So when the car pulled up, Mario said, “Are you Lisa?” And I sid, “Yes, are you Mario?”
My girlfriend Nancy and I interviewed four Uber drivers as we skip-hopped around D.C. “So how do you the Uber system?” we asked each one.
One young man said he was grateful to have older clients because the younger ones often call when they have had too much to drink. You are not supposed to tip, but we surprised this man, and I think we grandmas made his day brighter.
The most money I paid for each ride was about $8. I tried sharing a ride as well with the touch of a button which reduces the cost. Two Romanian girls joined our car and cut the cost of a fare to $3.
I plan to use Uber to go to Rehoboth this summer and see what the experience is like. It would be nice not to spend 20 minutes looking for a parking space. Happiness is being at the beach!
Email lgraff1979@gmail.com.
