Paula writes in…

I’m so irritated about this, that I couldn’t hold back until FFAF!

I just got a expired meter ticket while I was parked in front of Little Shop of Stories, even though I had dutifully paid-by-phone for my parking time. I have a text message from 10:33 a.m. telling me my space was authorized until 11:05, but I received a ticket at 10:39 am. I now will have to appear in court to dispute a $15 ticket. Grrr. Now I’m wondering if anyone else has had issues with the pay-by-phone system.

Over on the Decatur Minute, Cheryl gives us a pictoral report from a morning press event surrounding our new Pay-By-Cell parking meters (pdf).  She tells us to look out for a WABE interview that Lyn did.  (We will!  And post here when we find it!)

Well, it seems like the Associated Press was also present, because an article about Mayor Floyd pulling into a parking spot on the Square is already beginning to pop up on local newspaper websites all over the country.

Here’s a link to the AP article in the Idaho Statesman!

There’s some new info (to me!) about the technology in the article, including…

A handful of other cities around the nation employ similar systems. But Decatur is the first that uses technology that flashes the time bought on a meter instead of, say, a printed ticket, said Eric Groft, a StreetSmart project manager.

About 50 of Decatur’s 385 meters are outfitted with the pay-by-cell equipment, which costs an estimated $200 per meter. Each is outfitted with radios that can transmit data and sensors for detecting cars. It also lets drivers pay the old-fashioned way using change.

The Decatur Minute announces the installation of pay-by-cell parking meters on N. McDonough and E. Court House Square and is asking for feedback from those that have used it.

To be honest, the process sounds kind of complicated.  You gotta sign up online and then carry around a user number and password (The Decatur Minute has a step-by-step flyer, which I can’t link to) But I guess if you’ve left all your change in the dryer, or you need to recharge the meter and your miles away, it could come in handy.

There’s also a 25 cent service charge for each transaction,  so those that use change are, in effect, rewarded.  Shouldn’t there be incentive to try the new method as opposed to stick with the old?

UPDATE: Just to prove I’m not a recreational griper, I did a Google search of “Pay-by-Cell” parking meters.  From what I’ve seen, areas of San Fran, Vancouver, Oklahoma City, Houston, Coral Gables and Boston have already adopted or tested the technology.

However, I can’t find much that talks about the success/failures of the system.  Here’s an April ’08 article about San Francisco’s system saying that response has been “tepid” and a conversation on Portland Transport from the same month saying that their version of this system hasn’t caught on. Different articles talk about a city’s ability to now vary the rate for parking depending on the time of day and the obvious benefit of eventually doing away with meter maids if the system were universally accepted or adopted.