Town to Install Multi-Space Parking Pay Stations in Town Parking Lots
Daytime Parking Permits & Meters To Be Replaced With "Pay By Space" Multi-Space Parking Pay Stations effective June 1, 2009. Nightime Parking Permits will continue to be available in certain Lots effectiveJune 1, 2009.
In the meantime, Daytime Parking Permits will be issued as in the past, but none with an expiration date past May 31, 2009.
In a program that the Town expects will better serve commuters, businesses and residents, Multi-Space Parking Pay Stations will be installed in most of the Towns Parking Lots for use beginning effectiveJune 1, 2009. The new system will replace daytime parking permits and individual parking meters. Permits will continue to be sold on a month to month basis until the new system is ready to be put in place.
Just what is a Multi-Space Parking Pay Station? Essentially, it is a kiosk of sorts that allows a parker to pay for his/her parking space on a first come, first served basis. The parker would park in an open parking space, note the space number which will be painted behind each space, and proceed to the Pay Station to pay for parking. The parker will enter in the space number and the amount of time needed. The Pay Station will accept bills, coins or credit cards (Visa and MasterCard only). The Pay Stations will not make change. This type of system is known as "Pay By Space" in the parking industry. Each Pay Station uses fully wireless cellular communication to connect with a host computer.
As an added feature, parkers have the option of adding time to a meter at any Pay Station in the Town.
In the near future, we will be offering a third party service that will allow you to even "refill the meter" over your cell phone! Check back here for further information on when this feature wil be available.
Most lots will have two (2) Pay Stations, but the Train Station Lot (Lot "A") will have three (3) and the Crescent Field Lot will have four (4). The River Street Lot will not have Pay Stations and will remain metered. Nighttime Residential Parking Permit Holders will continue to purchase parking permits as they do now. A total of 18 Pay Stations will be installed.
The new system will provide the Town with real time parking data, result in more efficient revenue collection and proactive maintenance. A Parking Enforcement Officer will be able to tell instantaneously through the use of a mobile hand held device, exactly which spaces in a lot are paid for and which aren't. The Pay Stations are solar powered and are modular in nature, making them easy to repair with slide out replacement parts from an inventory maintained by the Town.
The Town will provide trained personnel at each parking lot for the first few days of operation to assist parkers in becoming acquainted with the system. New signage will be installed in each parking lot providing directions to parkers.
Systems like this are successfully used throughout the United States and in the NJ communities of Morristown, Bloomfield, Westfield, Cranford and Millburn, among others.
Click Here to see a map of the Town's Parking Lots and the proposed operation.
