City of Seattle testing slew of new pay stations ahead of system overhaul
Feb 20, 2014, 4:52 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2014, 6:04 am
The city of Seattle is testing seven different new pay stations including the Parkeon Strada to replace all of the 2,200 pay stations around the city. (AP image)
(AP image)
It’s looking a bit like a high tech bazaar in Belltown these days as the city tests out seven different new pay parking stations.
The Department of Transportation says the city needs to replace all of the 2,200 pay stations around the city because they’re coming to the end of their useful lives. The oldest of the then-cutting edge terminals that take credit cards and dispense stickers have been in service since 2004.
The city has installed seven different stations on 4th Ave. between Bell and Stewart Street for the public to try out. Officials are asking the public to try them out, then fill out an online survey giving their feedback about the user experience.
The trial pay stations will be in operation through March 14. SDOT plans to start replacing the oldest terminals this summer and have the entire citywide system updated by 2016. The city estimates it will cost $25-$30 million for the entire upgrade.
The new technology is promised to improve reliability and better handle more complex parking rate programming requirements. It will also better integrate with other current and future parking management technologies and systems, from pay by phone to Seattle Police Parking Enforcement.
