Meter Reader

The city has employed “parking ambassadors,” many of them city employees, to volunteer their time to help people learn how to use the new downtown parking meters.

Depending on the payment method, it’s either a two-step or a four-step process.

However, because they’ve only been in use for a little more than a week, there is some confusion about them.

For example, at least one man has tried to insert a dollar bill into the credit-card slot. (The machines only take coins and debit/credit cards, because dollar bills cause too many jams.)

Meter enforcement is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Frequently asked questions:
Q: Does the meter provide receipts for my car?
A: No. Receipts aren’t needed.

Q: Do I have to pay from the closest meter to my car?
A: No. Drivers can pay from any downtown meter.

Q: I’m just running in a store for a couple of minutes, why do I have to pay for an hour?
A: You don’t. Payment can be made for various amounts of time using nickels, dimes and quarters.

PAYMENT PLAN
Payment method: Coins or debit/credit cards

â–º Paying by coin: Using keypad enter the space number, which is painted on the curb. Insert coins for desired length of time.

â–º Paying by card: Enter space number. Use arrows to select desired length of time. Press “OK” to confirm payment amount. Insert and remove card.

What do you get for your money? Charge is $1 per hour on most streets; 50 cents per hour on Gulfstream Avenue. Payment can be made using nickels, dimes and quarters. For instance, a nickel equals three minutes on most streets and six minutes on Gulfstream Avenue.

Affected area: Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue and Second Street to McAnsh Square

Number of metered spaces: 497

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].