New “pay on foot” machines have been added to the three parking lots in downtown San Luis Obispo.
The system will now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which will no longer be free for customers who leave after parking officers leave for the evening.
Parking booths will continue to be manned by attendants who will accept cash or credit, but hours will vary depending on the facility. If the booth is empty, bettors can pay by credit card on exit or before leaving at one of the new “pay on foot” machines.
Street parking meter prices will continue to be free after 6 p.m.
“The new system will reduce the time it takes to get in and out of each facility, provide additional payment options, and allow the city to dynamically link parking availability per location to the city’s website and possibly a platform. mobile. according to a press release from the city of San Luis Obispo.
The system is now in effect at the Marsh structure. The two Palm Street structures will follow in the coming days.
Two new payment terminals will be set up in each of the three structures in the city center, where users can pay for their parking in cash or by credit card before returning to their car and then inserting the validated exit ticket.
“It might be a learning curve for people at first, but once people get used to the system they will know it will get them in and out much faster,” said Scott Lee, parking manager. of San Luis Obispo.
The hourly parking rate will not change. Rates will continue to be free the first hour and $ 1.25 per hour thereafter. The daily maximum will remain at $ 12.50.
According to Lee, the reason for the change was that the old system had been in place for 15 years and the new system will allow them to enter occupancy data in order to make the system more efficient. Lee said they were looking for ways for customers to check parking lot fill levels with the system.
No parking agent will lose their job. They will continue to be there, but not necessarily inside the outgoing booth. Lee said allowing them to be on foot would help speed up the exit process by providing assistance with payments and keeping an eye on the garage.
“They’ll be able to walk around the garage, help orient themselves and almost act like security guards,” Lee said. “It should improve the customer experience. “
