Apr 19, 2011

T&P INTRODUCES USER-FRIENDLY PARKING METERS & SERVICE UPGRADES WITH ELECTRONIC METER PILOT

New Customer Service Station, Website, Online Appeals Add to Customer Service Improvements; 90-Day Trial of Wireless, Solar-Powered Parking Meters to Begin in May

SOMERVILLE - Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Acting Director of Traffic and Parking (T&P), Matthew Dias, announced that, as the latest phase in a customer service improvement plan, the City will begin a 90-day trial of credit card-enabled single space parking meters (SSPM) with California-based IPS Group, Inc., effective this spring.  The new single-spaced meters will continue to allow customers to pay with coins, but will also accept credit cards for the first time.  In communities nationwide, SSPMs have been proven to increase constituent satisfaction, particularly by eliminating the need to carry quarters.  In addition to the meter pilot, recent customer service improvements include the installation of a new cashier window and customer service desk, as well as a new website with that includes the ability to appeal parking tickets online.

The 90-day meter trial includes the free installation of 40 new meters, which are retrofitted to existing meters, eliminating expensive labor and installation costs.  The new meters have several advantages over existing meters: They are solar-powered, more reliable, and easier to maintain and repair on a long-term basis.  The City will examine possibility for expanding SSPMs citywide at the completion of the trial period.

"The new meters are one more way in which we are seeking to ensure that our residents and businesses receive the best possible customer service, and over the last several months the Traffic and Parking Department has made significant changes in this area," Mayor Curtatone said.  "Not only will the new meters provide additional payment options, but they use green technology, and are easier to maintain.  Communities nationwide have already seen a dramatic increase in customer satisfaction with this technology, and a decrease in the number of parking-related appeals and tickets.  We are looking forward to receiving constituent feedback once the meters are installed, and I encourage residents to let us know their experiences by accessing the new T&P website."

"We are always looking for innovative ways to increase customer satisfaction, particularly in line with the Mayor's ACE Initiative ("Accurate, Courteous, Easy).  The changes and upgrades system-wide in T&P are just some of the examples of how T&P will continue to evolve in the coming months," said Dias.

The new meters will be installed later this month, and will be retrofitted to existing poles.  As opposed to current meters, which only accept quarters and ParkCards, the new meters will accept Visa and MasterCard. 

IPS Group, Inc. is a design, engineering and manufacturing company focused on low power wireless communications and parking technologies.  IPS Group is the industry leader of solar-powered, credit card enabled, single-space parking meters.