Beijing roadside parking fees to go electronic Dec 1

All the districts in Beijing will adopt an electronic billing system instead of manual charging starting Dec 1 to better manage parking in the capital, according to information released at a press conference held by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport on Monday.

By then, the number of parking spaces on city roadsides will reach 60,000.

The amount of time a car is parked along the street is monitored by an overhead electronic device, and the driver is then billed via an app. Drivers can pay through the app or in person with cash at a government service center. Attendants cannot be paid.

According to the city authority, a driver's credit will be negatively affected if he or she fails to pay a roadside parking fee in time, under a regulation being researched by the city.

If the driver fails to pay the fee within the allotted time, the transport authority sends a text reminder. If overdue more than 30 days, the driver will face a fine between 200 yuan ($29) and 1,000 yuan.