New Smart Meters – Paterson Parking Authority

Meter Info

How it works.

Display

Look at the smart meter’s display to find parking rates, hours, time limits, and other important information. If it is dark, press any button to light the display.

Credit Cards

If paying electronically, insert and remove your credit or debit card. The smart meter accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Green OK Button

Press green [OK] button to confirm your payment, or red [CANCEL] button to stop your transaction. The meter will attempt to authorize the payment shown on the screen if neither button is pressed after 35 seconds. Wait for authorization of the card.
*Please note that time purchased at this meter corresponds only to the adjoining parking spot. The time purchased is not transferable.

Coins

If paying with coins, simply insert them in the coin slot until the desired time is reached on the display. Quarters, dimes, nickels, and $1 coins accepted.

Buttons

With the blue [+] and [-] buttons, select the amount of time. The cost for that time will be displayed underneath.

*Please note that time purchased at this meter corresponds only to the adjoining parking spot. The time purchased is not transferable.

Frequently asked questions.

Why is the City of Paterson replacing the meters in Downtown area?

The current single-space meters are reaching their end of their useful life. The new smart single-space meters will not only be more reliable than the old meters, but if and when there are maintenance issues, the new smart meters will wirelessly alert the Paterson Parking Authority’s staff to address the problem quickly.

The second reason is to improve customer service. The current meters only accept coins, whereas the new smart meters will accept multiple forms of payment. We know that maintaining a supply of quarters and other change is inconvenient, so while the new meters will continue to accept coins, they will also accept credit cards, debit cards. You will also be able to pay for parking at the new meters through our own free mobile app, using credit, debit, or smart card, or through your own prepaid “wallet”. When you use the pay-by-cell option, the new mobile application will text you an alert in advance of your meter expiring, giving you a chance to extend your time or return before the meter expires.

The Paterson Parking Authority is installing parking meters to provide the best paid parking experience possible. With state-of-the-art meters the time is right to replace the old meters, so we may continue to provide a State of the Art parking experience in all of the business districts. districts.

Why do we call the meters “smart”?

The new IPS Model M5 meters are smart for various reasons. They are smart because of the many options for convenient payment they offer. They are smart because they communicate wirelessly to The Paterson Parking Authority with operational alerts and financial and occupancy data, and to customers via smart-phone application. The M5’s are smart also because they are powered by the sun. A solar panel on each meter powers its rechargeable battery.