Raleigh Gives Quarter to Coinless Parking Idea

The city is experimenting with pay stations that can handle all of the spaces within a block and that don't require quarters.

"These machines are capable of accepting Visa, Mastercard or your debit (card)," city parking administrator Gordon Dash said, adding that coins also are accepted.

"All you have to do when you pull in is remember the space that you're parking in, go to one of the three pay stations that are here and you enter the space number and you make your payment," Dash said.

Drivers don't need to display any receipt in their vehicle. The pay station technology also allows people to prepay for parking before 8 a.m.

The program is expected to start next week along Hillsborough Street between Enterprise Street and Logan Court – across from the North Carolina State University campus – and along West Hargett Street downtown across from the municipal building.

The pilot program will run through next May, and if it works, all parking meters in Raleigh could be replaced by the pay stations, Dash said.

"The public, by and large, are not happy with single-space meters," he said.

But some drivers said they're skeptical about the machines.

"I just don't think they work as well," N.C. State student Michael Altman said. "It seems so much easier just to stick your money in the meter. ... It just seems like a hassle."

The real test might be how many cars using the new system are ticketed, some drivers said.

During the first two weeks of the pilot project, Park Raleigh representatives will be stationed near the pay stations to help answer questions. For more information, call Park Raleigh at 919-828-1020.