Miami Begins Installation Of Pay and Display Machines

June, 2003

In May, the Miami Parking Authority began replacing the City of Miami's current electronic parking meters with pay and display parking meters. The new meters will issue drivers receipts to display in their cars. Biscayne Boulevard will be the first area in the city to receive the new meters.
The City of Miami is one of a handful of cities in North America to install the new machines. Other cities using similar equipment are Miami Beach, FL; Portland, OR; Savannah, GA, and Toronto. The new meters offer drivers several advantages including: a receipt; a reminder slip of their expiration time; an increase in the number of spaces available for parking; environmentally friendly solar-powered equipment; and increased customer service capability.
The pay and display meters will accept coins, dollar bills and credit cards. During the first few weeks of transition to the new machines, MPA personnel will assist motorists in the usage of the new meters. Pay and display meters have a slot to insert coins and another for credit cards.
"We are excited to be among the first to feature this new and more effective method of parking," said MPA Executive Director Art Noriega. "Once drivers become familiar with the equipment, we think they will be pleased with the added advantages and consumer friendly machines."
The Miami Parking Authority has managed and developed affordable and convenient parking facilities in the City of Miami for over 45 years. The Authority operates five garages, 61 parking lots and approximately 17,000 parking spaces through facilities that it owns, as well as facilities owned by other governmental units, non-profit entities and public/private sector joint ventures.
The manufacturer contracted by the MPA to supply the Master meters is Schlumberger. Stage one will consist of the installation of 35 machines. However, the agency is planning to install 500 machines citywide within five years. Each multi-space machine will take the place of eight to 10 single-space street meters.


Side Bar 1

On the Air
The following radio spot is being used as part of the Miami Parking Authority PR campaign:
Beginning on May 1, 2003, drivers in the city of Miami will see new pay and display parking meters instead of electronic parking meters on the streets. The Miami parking authority, MPA, will begin replacing Biscayne Boulevard parking meters first. The new pay and display meters will issue drivers a receipt to display in their cars.
The city of Miami is one of a handful of cities in North America to install the new machines. Other cities using similar equipment are Miami Beach, Portland, Savannah, and Toronto. The new meters offer several advantages including: a receipt; a reminder slip of their expiration time; an increase in the number of spaces available for parking; environmentally friendly solar-powered equipment; and increased customer service capability.
The Miami Parking Authority has managed and developed affordable and convenient parking facilities in the City of Miami for more than 45 years. For information on the new pay and display parking meters, visit www.miamiparking.com or call (305) 373-6789 ext 245.