The City of Columbia is testing two types of payment systems designed to make parking in The District a little easier. Starting Monday, February 6, patrons parking along Ninth Street will have the opportunity to test out two payment systems that allow for payment by credit card or cell phone in addition to coins and the city’s EZ Park Card.
Two multi-space systems will be installed on Ninth Street, between Broadway and Locust Streets. Two machines will be placed in this two block span, with one on each side of the street. One machine is located on the east side near Rome Restaurant, the other machine is located in front of Makes Scents on the west side of Ninth Street. Each individual space will have a sign placed on the post displaying the number of that space, which is needed when paying at the multi-space machine. These machines are from Digital Payment Technologies, Inc.
IPS Group, Inc. will place single-space systems on Ninth Street, between Locust and University Streets. Patrons parking along this two block span will pay at the meter adjacent to their parking space. These meters are similar to what we have on-street currently, with the main difference being the addition of payment by credit cards and cell phone.
Both systems will be in place for a period of 90 days. The test will allow city staff and the Parking Task Force to measure the benefit of paying by credit card and cell phone, as well as the willingness of patrons to go to a multi-space system verses single-space meters.
Parking is enforced in the downtown area Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free on Sunday’s. Results from the pilot will be studied by the Task Force and City Council this summer. For more information downtown parking, go online to www.GoColumbiaMo.com (search: GoParking), or call the Public Works Department at (573) 874-7250.
