Sure, smart parking
meters are catching on nationwide.*But many are like the “muni-meters,” which have begun replacing
traditional parking meters in New York, and take specialized debit cards called Parking Cards. Unfortunately, the
meters don’t include Parking Card dispensers; you have to buy the cards by phone or online. So, you end up paying
with — you guessed it — quarters. But, hopefully, this will all be replaced soon by a new system now being tested in
the heart of car culture, Los Angeles. The new ATM-style meters accept cash, debit, and credit cards, and can also
use SMS to send a message to your cellphone when your time is about to expire. You can then purchase additional time
simply by replying to the message. Of course, this will bomb in LA since everyone uses valet parking there—let’s hope
that doesn’t discourage the developers from pitching it to New York officials as soon as freaking possible. In the
meantime, here’s an idea for New York: scrap the Parking Card, and let the meters take MetroCards. Most New Yorkers
already have those, and you can pick them up in any subway station.
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