See Alderman Lyda Krewson's comment on what it will take for this program to become the norm, and her comment on a credit card payment system in Argyle Garage.
Searching without luck at the bottom of your purse or between the car seats for change will become a thing of the past if the new "No Change, No Problem" parking meters that are being installed on a trial basis on Maryland Plaza are deemed a success.
17th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson emailed the news: "The new meters will be installed on Maryland from Lester's to York (maybe a little west of York); and on Euclid from Lindell to the alley north of Maryland. I believe it is approximately 60 meters. This is a trial program to further evaluate these meters."
Following is a press release from St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones' office:
"This Friday (May 10), St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones will launch a new pilot program which will test 60 new parking meters that accept credit and debit cards in the Central West End. The program is called the "No Change, No Problem" Pilot Program and will kick off with a launch event. During the launch event, there will be a moratorium on parking tickets in the area and Parking Enforcement Officers will be on hand to help motorists use the meters and give out FREE parking minutes – when patrons check-in to a business via Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare. Businesses, that usually have to provide change to parking motorists, will also get involved with decals and signs promoting 'No Change, No Problem.'"
The new parking meters, shown above, can be spotted on Maryland Plaza ahead of Friday's launch. In the interest of fairness, all meters should also include prominent notice of the hours and days during which violations are enforced (8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday). I often observe people searching in vain for that information, which is either non-existent, or faded away and impossible to read.
On a related note, perhaps Ms. Jones will consider introducing a credit/debit card payment system for the Argyle Garage (between Euclid & York on Lindell) and the City Hall lot. The current "cash only" arrangement, a holdover from the previous regime, seems archaic in 2013.
I asked Treasurer Tishaura Jones, what it would take for her to consider the new meters a success. She said 50% of the payments by credit card. If you like these meters, maybe consider using your credit card even if you do have quarters?
Tishaura also said it won’t be too long before you can use credit cards in the Argyle Garage. Thanks Lyda
Yes, to the credit card system at the York garage. I really hate that garage. The doors are always locked, one has to walk forever to the car and it is scary! Atleast the credit card would improve that one problem….never having any real money.
The garage should ABSOLUTELY take credit cards—- it’s ridiculous! But yay about the parking meters!!
Jennifer: You’ll need to look at the meters to see how they work, or stop by the area on Friday for a demonstration. They look pretty user friendly, though I haven’t had reason to try one out myself. Also, if you click on the photo that I posted, it will enlarge and you can read how it works.
Yes and we swipe the card and it starts to charge us and how does it know when to stop charging us? There is lack of information given here that will cause people to be hesitant in swiping that card.