What is Happening with Reno's Parking Meters?
An American icon - the parking meter - will be gone from downtown Reno by the end of summer, 2011. The long lines of individual meters are being replaced by several centrally located pay station kiosks, each set up to cover multiple parking spaces. According to the City of Reno, this system is being installed to replace meters nearing their service life. It uses current technology with multiple payment options, is more economical to operate, and gets rid of the coin collection and maintenance headaches inherent with a whole forest of individual meters.
The multi-space kiosk meters were chosen to replace the old meters after a test involving three different systems. The installation contract was awarded to a local company, Secure Storage Technologies, LLC.
How to Use the Multi-Space Meters
Instead of meters, parking spaces have identifying numbers painted on the curb. After parking, note your space number and trot over to the kiosk (identifyed with the blue circle P symbol and a sign with a hand holding a coin). Just follow the payment directions on the screen. You can pay the old-fashioned way with coins, but these machines also accept debit cards and credit cards. You can even pay using your cell phone. Should you wander off and realize you are about to run out of time, you can pay from any kiosk, not just the one where you parked.
All this technology makes it easier to pay for parking, but be aware that it also makes it easier for enforcement officers to write tickets. Part of the system includes sensors that monitor parking spaces and payments made at the multi-space kiosks. If you don't pay or let the time run out, the parking cops will know about it without having to wander down the street looking at dozens of meters.
Source: City of Reno press release.
