The move is a sign of the times — fewer people are carrying change around, opting for debit and credit cards instead of cash to pay for things, said Rich Engle, the public works director for the city.
In fact, he’s one of those people.
“I certainly don’t carry change in my pocket,” Engle said.
Engle said 175 meters throughout the city will get access to the app, called PassportParking. A sticker will be placed on the meters alerting drivers that they can pay by either downloading the app, visiting the company’s website or paying over the phone. The mobile app is either being used or considered for use in cities around the world, including Boston and Chicago.
PassportParking won’t collect any of the proceeds the city gets, but it will charge users a 25-cent convenience fee for every time they make a payment. But, if drivers use parking meters frequently, they can choose to load a set amount — say $25 — on the app and only pay the 25 cents each time they load more money.
The city owns about 650 parking meters but the first 175 to get the app are the most frequented meters, including a line of meters that sits in front of the Government Services Center on High Street, which Engle said are the most often used. The fees and time limits for meters vary across the city.
The city will also install six meters on South Third Street near Ludlow Street with the capability to take credit card payment. Initially, city officials were considering installing 36 credit card meters. Engle said given the expense of those meters — they cost $685 each— the city wanted to test the credit meter and the smartphone app before moving forward with more purchases. Those should be installed sometime in June or July, he said.
“We’re putting in both at the same time so we can see how they compare and see how they’re received by the general public,” Engle said.
Engle said all of the parking meters in the city will still accept change.
The city’s collections from parking meters has dwindled in recent years from $117,000 in 2012 to $95,000 last year. Engle said he’s not sure if the new payment methods will drive up revenues; he does think if more people are traveling to shop or dine at some of the city’s restaurants or newer stores, more cash could come in from the meters.
Drivers who fail to pay the city’s meter face a $5 fine if they pay that day before midnight; the fine increases to $15 the following day.
The new meters will likely make it more convenient for people to visit businesses throughout the city, said Kenny Craig, the president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
“I think anything that helps potential customers get in and out of stores in a convenient way is going to be positive for the businesses downtown,” Craig said.
Jim Mehas, the owner of Mehas Music on High Street, said he’s heard customers complain about the parking meters in general, but his business actually benefits sometimes from the parking meters. He said people sometimes stop in his store to ask him to break a dollar for some change.
“It brings in traffic,” said Mehas of the meters. “I love it.”
About the Author