METER NEWS!

Beginning in January 2005, Providence is replacing the existing meter configuration of 740 meters with new electronic single space, dual headed and multi-space meter kiosks. The new meter technology will accept smart cards and coins, with the ability to accept credit cards in the future. The meters and the multi-space meter kiosks will help promote high parking turnover, provide an enforcement mechanism for drivers to adhere to parking regulations and discourage long term parking by commuters or scofflaws. The new meters will help distribute limited on-street parking space where the demand for spaces often exceeds the supply.

The multi-space meter kiosks currently in use in Europe and several US cities, will offer several benefits, as one meter has the ability to regulate several parking spaces on a block. The multi-space kiosk issues a receipt for the driver to place on the dashboard of their car, denoting time purchased. The receipt allows customers to use un-expired time at another multi-space kiosk location, and use the receipt as a proof of purchase for expense tracking or contesting a ticket. The City will install signage pointing to the location of the multi-space meter kiosks for the customer to purchase their parking space. Providence Parking Cards, called Prov Pass, will be available for purchase at City Hall, the Public Safety Building and all 9 AAA offices in RI (to AAA members) and can be used in all new meters.

Some attributes of the meters are:

• They provide drivers the convenience of payment options. The meters will accept coins and ProvPass, with the ability to accept credit cards in the future.
• At single and dual headed meters, the Prov Pass will allow drivers the ability to pay for meter time used only. The driver can log the parking card into any single or dual headed electronic meter to activate the meter. Upon return to the meter the driver logs off and the meter will calculate actual time used and deduct the amount from the parking card. Multi space meters do not have this feature.
• Multi-language capability will be programmed into the multi-space meters to allow users the option of selecting Spanish as the language of their choice to carry out transactions.
• The multi-space meter kiosks allow parking to be regulated at locations that have never had parking meters due to hollow sidewalks, and reduce clutter from street furniture.

Multi-Space Meter Kiosks
Pay and Display Type Meter Kiosk

The multi-space meter kiosks will be a “Pay and Display” type meter. A total of ten meters will be installed throughout the city at designated locations. The locations for the first four installations will be

• Both sides of Dorrance Street between Fulton and Westminster Streets
• Both sides of Dorrance Street between Westminster and Weybosset Streets

These meters are battery operated and are recharged by solar power. Meter data is collected via a hand-held computer and upload daily to a mainframe system. The meter technician will be alerted of all outages within hours of generating reports. The meter kiosk will accept both coins and a smart card, with the ability to process credit cards in the future.

The Pay By Display meter provides the driver with a receipt to display on the windshield on the vehicle. The receipt provides information to the Providence Meter Checkers to determine whether a vehicle is parked in violation of the parking regulations. The receipt may also be used as proof of payment in the event the driver wishes to appeal the ticket at the Providence Municipal Court, or the driver may take un-expired time to use in other kiosk space locations, unless otherwise restricted.

The meter kiosks will have easy to use instructions located on the front of the kiosk. The rate plate describes the steps using the multi-space meter.

For the first few days the multi-space meter kiosks are in operation, flyers will be handed out to the public and local businesses assisting in the proper usage of the multi-space meter kiosk.

Single Electronic Meters

A major element of the new meter installation is the replacement of the existing meter configuration in the city with new electronic single space meters and dual headed meters. Selected streets will have dual headed electronic meter eliminating street clutter. Advanced electronic mechanism in the meter will provide:

• MacKay’s patented SmartChute coin validation,
• An LED back light for nighttime use,
• A large highly visible display flashes red and silver to indicated “Time Expired” or solid silver for valid parking time.

The new electronic meters will accept both coins and ProvPass. The parking card will allow the driver to purchase only time used at the meter. The driver swipes the smart card in the meter to log in and out and the meter calculates the amount of time used and deducts the amount from the smart card. Easy to use directions are located on the back of the smart card.

City of Providence Parking Card/ ProvPass

The Providence Parking Card or ProvPass can be purchased in City Hall at the Departments of Licensing or Tax Collector, at the Public Safety Building at the Municipal Court, and at all nine AAA offices in Rhode Island. Customers can purchase pre-valued denominations of $20.00.

Parking Meter Rate Structure:

All multi-space meter kiosks are installed at a rate of $1.00 per hour or $.25 per 15 minutes. Please refer to city signage for enforcement hours and parking regulations.

Pay By Web and Pay By Phone Payment Options:

The City of Providence is proud to offer citizens the ability to pay parking tickets via the City Web site at http://www.providenceri.com/ticketpay/ or call the interactive voice response system at 866-263-0475. The City will accept credit card payments using Visa or MasterCard. A $3.00 convenience fee will be charged for each payment transaction.