No need to drop coins in meters at select locations in Montgomery County. (Photo: TBD Staff)

A big win for those of us who never carry coins around — Montgomery County is expanding its Pay-By-Cell parking meter program!

Currently you can put money on meters via a phone call at about 1,200 meters in Bethesda (see the map after the jump). The county has now contracted MobileNOW LLC to expand the pilot program to 11,000 meters in parking districts in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Montgomery Hills, North Bethesda, and throughout Bethesda. Program expansion could take up to six months.

There are some catches to this convenience: you'll be charged an additional 25 cents per transaction until Dec. 13, when the fee increases to 35 cents. Also, before you can begin using the system you have to set up an account, and it involves putting a minumum of $25 into your account. So although, yes, $25 is much better than getting a parking ticket, the people most likely to use the service are those who park often.

Pay by Cell Pilot Bethesda Closeup