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So what is a SmartCard for a meter? Only a genius idea that I don't know why it took so long to start using. A SmartCard is just like a debit card. You swipe your card when you park, and then you swipe it again when you leave. No more scrounging around the floorboards of your car looking for loose change to feed the meters! And the best part? Aside from not having to keep checking the meter and re-feeding coins, you only pay for the time you're actually there. With the old meters, if there was still time left when you were leaving the spot, it was like a goldmine for the next person to park there. Now you won't be leaving any of your time for the next lucky person. There is an initial investment of $5 for the SmartCard. They can be purchased from the office of the City of Charleston Department of Revenue Collections/Parking Division located at 180 Lockwood Drive in Downtown Charleston. Once you have a card, you can purchase time with cash or credit. Officials say that the remaining meters will be upgraded by the end of next year. I'm hoping that it's a little sooner than that. *photo courtesy of p/p++ on Flickr
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RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!
How High Tech! I think Milwaukee has some of these too, but not yet Waukesha...maybe some day...
Jan 18, 2009 01:29 AM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Kristin: I'm actually surprised that Charleston has taken this step! We're usually one of the last places to institute any new gadgets like this, so I'm pretty impressed.
Jan 18, 2009 07:19 AM
Titusville, FL
Hi Jim, Hi Maria- What a fabulous idea, and you're right, why did it take so long to come up with this gem. Bet it spreads in no time to most medium & large cities. LOL...Titusville doesn't own any parking meters!
Jan 18, 2009 11:49 PM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Gail: I think I like your idea better -- no meters at all :) But the money helps out the city. I'm sure that this will be a trend we see more and more of. I think that they should consider just letting them accept debit/credit cards, though. We have so many tourists and visitors throughout the year, and I can't imagine that they'll want to invest in this card f they're only here for a few days. Accepting plastic in general would certainly help them out.
Jan 19, 2009 12:37 AM
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL
This is great....I wonder how long it will take before we get these. Come to think of it, I haven't tried to park on the street downtown in a long time. Maybe I should check it out.
Jan 19, 2009 03:39 AM
Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Shoreline, WA
What a great idea- REALLY!!
Just the other day I was noticing my city's new meters. They are a bit like the old kind but instead of just coins- you can pay with your credit or debit cards. The one thing I think is silly is that the meter dispenses a sticker after payment that you put in your car window. The meter maid looks at the time the sticker paid for but if you need to feed the meter with more money hald way through your time- the sticker is going to say the new time from when you put the 2nd batch of money in, not extending from when you originally put money and time for your space.
The smart card idea is WAY better! I am going to have to write a letter to our city representatives because your meters would be a HUGE improvement!
Thanks for sharing, Nicole Weidauer
The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle
Jan 19, 2009 04:07 AM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Ann: I hope your city gets these new meters soon. Hopefully they'll take plastic when you do!
Jan 19, 2009 04:35 AM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Nicole: That seems so silly. Why even pay with your credit card if you have to continue to check on the meter and "feed" it again? At least the SmartCard saves you that headache!
Jan 19, 2009 04:39 AM
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor
So easy, it's a wonder this wasn't implemented long ago. The SmartCard method is used in many cities around the country and has been for a long time. Glad it's by you now! Now what am I going to do with all those disposable out of order meter covers I've been using all these years?!!!!
Jan 19, 2009 10:46 AM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Craig: I knew we weren't first, but not being last is quite nice :)
As for those Out of Order meter covers, I think they'll be taking up a lot of space in your garage from now on!
Jan 19, 2009 12:37 PM
Redefining LUXE - Mount Pleasant, SC
This is fantastic news!! I live in Mount Pleasant, but my daughter attends Ashely Hall downtown and I try to meet friends for coffee or lunch when I can somewhere near the school. It seems like I always park at the meter that is jammed and I am fearful of getting a ticket. Or, lunch takes longer than expected and I end up with a ticket on my car for running out of time on the meter.
Jan 25, 2009 01:45 AM
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Tracy: Hopefully the new meters are in the areas that you usually try to find a spot. And here's to no more parking tickets, especially sine they just doubled the fine!
Jan 25, 2009 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
672,660
672,660
Jim & Maria Hart
Charleston, SC Real Estate
Service Areas
Comments(12)