The Lancaster Parking Authority is proud to announce the introduction of a new parking system in the downtown area. Starting in January 2009 pay-by-space street parking will appear on West King Street from Prince to Queen Streets, on Queen Street from King to Orange and on East King Street from Queen to Duke Street. These new multi-space parking meters will replace the existing single space meters in these areas. These units will provide you with more payment options and the ability to add time to your existing parking up to the maximum for that meter. This new technology will remove a great deal of street clutter by eliminating 39 single space meters in this first phase.
A second phase of the meter installations will begin in late January /February of 2009 and include Prince Street from King Street to Walnut Streets, Queen Street from Orange to Chestnut and Duke Street from Vine Street to Orange Street. This phase will effectively remove 96 additional single space meters from the City's landscape.
Pay-By-Space Parking
This type of parking system uses numbers assigned to each parking space which will be printed on the sidewalk. When you park your vehicle in one of these spaces, note the number of your space, then proceed to a multi-space meter and purchase the amount of time you will need. A benefit of the system is that you don't have to return to your vehicle to display the receipt on your dash. You just pay and go.
Accepted Forms of Payment
Another benefit of the new parking system is the acceptance of various forms of payment. You will no longer have to search for change to pay at the meter. The new units will accept nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar coins, one dollar notes, credit cards, smart cards and tokens.
Additional Features
Receipts: You will receive a receipt that provides you with the time your parking expires and your space number. You will no longer have to guess when your time expires.
Add Time: You can use your receipt at any meter to add time to your parking. Just select “add time” and enter your add time number from your receipt. You can add up to the maximum amount of time allowed by that parking meter. If it is a two hour meter and you paid initially for one hour, you may add an additional hour or less from any other multi-space meter.
Broken Meter: Occasionally a meter may have a problem accepting a particular form of payment, for example, smart cards or coins, but I will continue to accept other forms of payment. The payment message will automatically be adjusted to only indicate payment options that are working at that time. You will also be able to go to another unit nearby and pay for your parking by registering your space number.
Signage: New street signs using the Red (P) icon will designate where the pay-by-space street parking is in effect. Additional signs will be used to direct you to the nearest meter.
Footprint: The Unit we have purchased has one of the smallest machine footprints in the industry (less than 1.3 square feet. This compact footprint does not impede pedestrian traffic.
Power: The Pay station will be equipped with a Solar Panel that energizes an internal (12) volt battery that powers all the operations of the pay station. The Solar Panel converts sunlight into electricity to provide the energy needed to trickle charge the internal battery. The battery is capable of lasting three to five years depending on meter usage and the environment.
Latest Technology: The multi-space meter is compatible with the latest technology advances for multi- space meters including Solar Power, dual card reader (Credit Card & Smart Card) technologies, wireless communication capabilities and on-line, real time authentication of credit cards.
Languages: The unit is capable of providing directions in multiple languages. Initially we will provide both English and Spanish at each unit. We can add additional languages if the need arises.
ADA Standards: All the units will meet the requirements of the (ADA) American with Disabilities Act. The Parking Authorities contract with the meter manufacturer requires that all coin and card aperture locations, controls and operating mechanisms be compatible with the ADA requirements.
The New Multi-Space parking meters work in a similar manner to banking kiosks that you may be more familiar with. There is signage on the meter and on the screen that prompts you through the purchase cycle. We recognize that it may take some time to get used to the new system, but we believe the added benefits like flexible payment options will make the learning effort worthwhile. We also feel that you will be as comfortable with the new meters as you are with the old ones after only a few uses.
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