Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #05-82

DOT Introduces City's First Credit Card Friendly Parking Meters

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall today introduced the City's first credit card friendly parking meters. During a six month pilot project, 200 muni-meters in Manhattan's theater district (West 43rd Street to West 56th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Broadway)will accept major credit cards in addition to the U.S. coin and NYC Pre-Paid Parking Card payment options currently available. During the study period, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) will gather data from the meters to determine motorists' preferred payment method and to gauge the program's success.

"Parking is one of the biggest challenges in a large, congested City with limited space, and DOT continues to look for new ways to make parking easier for drivers, "said Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall. "Under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership, the City is embracing new technologies to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers"

The Department has been upgrading Muni-Meters in the theater district with the latest in secure wireless communication technology since May 2005, at a cost of roughly $84,000.

The credit card payment option will be activated at meters in the study area on Monday, November 21, 2005. The meters will be outfitted with instructional decals and fliers will be distributed to educate the public about the new payment alternative. Earlier this year, the City introduced 1,100 single space parking meters in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens with the capability to accept payments made with the NYC Pre-paid Parking Card.

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Contact: Kay Sarlin (212) 442-7033
Chris Gilbride