Austin first to have all solar meters

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The city of Austin is installing 500 solar-powered single-space meters that will accept both credit cards and coins this week. Last August the city began replacing the old single space meters with 700 more cost-effective pay stations, and since doing so the city and its customers have already seen major benefits.

There has been at least a 36 percent drop in parking citations, and an 85 percent reduction in complaints about broken meters. Now the new solar-powered meters will add even more benefits to the city and its users.

Leah Fillion of Austin Transportation Department explained that when the city put in the pay stations, which are also solar-powered, they were meant to take the place of eight to 10 metered spaces. On smaller streets it was not cost-effective for the city to put in a solar-powered pay station, so they left the old single-space meters.

Now thanks to technology, the city will be able to retro-fit a new solar-powered meter “head” onto the old existing meters on the smaller streets.

Not only will this be cheaper for the city and its residents, but it means that all of Austin’s public parking will be running off of solar power. Austin is the first city in the nation to have all parking solar-powered.

The new pay stations and solar-powered single space meters will only accept Visa and Matsercard.

For those who have a previously accepted parking meter card, refunds can be obtained at the One Texas Center building before September 30.