High Tech Parking Meters Make Their Downtown Debut

The credit card-reading parking meters that as a way to raise more revenue for the downtown parking fund, and make life a little easier for those parking downtown, made their debut Thursday morning on Main Street. 

The meters, which will allow downtown visitors to use credit cards or coins, will also send a signal back to City Hall when the meter expires, or when it malfunctions. 

The $75,000 test run will pay for itself with additional revenues, said city engineer Tim Tucker. If successful, the 90-day test run will become a full-scale deployment of the new meters, for a total cost of $200,000.

During the discussion in January, councilwoman Lara DeLaney called for an evaluation of parking meter rates, noting that Walnut Creek charges $1 an hour for parking, while Martinez continues to charge 50 cents per hour. She also said that jurors should be required to pay for parking, as is done in Walnut Creek.

What do you think of the new meters downtown? Tell us in the comments.