Ambler officials address issues with new parking system, release new parking zone map

The Ambler Police Department has released a new parking map to help residents, commuters, and visitors navigate the Borough’s updated public parking system as officials continue the transition to a new payment platform.

The map identifies the locations of Ambler’s three municipal parking lots (Lots 1, 2, and 3) and provides a visual guide to the newly designated parking meter zones. Each zone includes its corresponding QR code and text code for use with the Borough’s new T2 Mobile Pay system.

Officials acknowledged that several minor programming issues have been identified with the new kiosks during the rollout. One known problem is that the kiosks are currently unable to process payments between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Borough said staff are actively working to correct the issue and fine-tune the system.

Drivers who encounter problems using the kiosks are encouraged to report them to the Ambler Police Department.

The Flowbird mobile app will no longer function in Ambler after May 31, 2026. Residents and visitors are encouraged to begin using the new T2 system as soon as possible to avoid payment issues and potential parking violations.

Officials said full-size printed copies of the map will be distributed to businesses located within the parking zones, and additional copies will be available to the public at the police station. Residents may also request a PDF version of the map by email. Because of the amount of information included, officials noted that the map may be difficult to view on a smartphone screen.

The updated parking system replaces the Borough’s longtime Flowbird parking platform, which had been in use for nearly a decade. Ambler is now transitioning to technology from T2 Systems in an effort to simplify parking and improve the overall user experience.

One of the most significant changes is the switch from a “Pay by Space” model to a “Pay by Plate” system. Drivers no longer need to enter a parking space number when paying. Instead, motorists simply input their vehicle’s license plate number at a kiosk or through the mobile payment system.

The former Flowbird mobile app is also being phased out and replaced by T2 Mobile Pay, a text-based service that allows users to pay for parking without downloading an app. The system sends a text alert when 15 minutes remain on a parking session, giving drivers the option to extend their time directly from their phones.

Ambler’s designated free parking periods remain in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 7:59 a.m. and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:59 p.m. Drivers may still register a parking session during those hours, but they will not be charged. Any payment made during a free period is automatically applied to the next metered session.

The Borough is also replacing its older kiosks with new T2 Cosmo kiosks, which accept coins, tap-to-pay credit and debit cards, and digital wallet payments including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Android-compatible digital wallets.