Short on cash and can’t feed the meter? Help is on the way. The city has introduced a new parking meter pilot program that accepts credit and debit cards as well as coins.
The three-month pilot will include aging meters at 600 Indiana Avenue, near Downtown’s Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metrorail station. The single space meters are being touted for their efficiency, accessibility and convenience. They are charged by a solar-powered battery system and tied to a web-based management system, which feeds information to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) via text message or e-mail. So it’s out (gradually) with the old and in with the new as the city embraces innovative technological advances in parking management.
DDOT is urging residents to use the new meters and offer feedback that will help guide future improvements. Feedback can be provided by calling DDOT’s Customer Service office at 202.673.6813; calling the Mayor’s Call Center at 311; using the On-line Service Request enter at www.dc.gov; or sending a text message or Tweet to DDOTDC@twitter.com.
DDOT has already installed multi-space meters throughout commercial corridors in Downtown, and plans to roll out additional parking meter pilot programs such as pay-by-cell and in-car metering systems.
For more information about the city’s parking operations and policies, visit www.ddot.dc.gov.