News ReleaseCity of Long Beach Public Information Office
333 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

5/29/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #CM:052908
Subject :

Redevelopment Agency Installs Solar Powered Parking Machines
Old “Honor Boxes” Replaced with State of the Art Technology
Contact :Victoria Ballesteros, Communications Officer    570.5583
The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency has installed new solar-powered pay stations at three Downtown Long Beach parking locations: 4th & Pacific; 7th & Pacific; and Long Beach Boulevard at Broadway.  The new machines accept coins, cash, debit and credit cards, and replace outdated ‘honor boxes’ that only accepted cash.

"Solar powered pay stations are the cutting edge in parking technology," said Craig Beck, Executive Director of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. "By replacing the old ‘honor boxes’ with these new pay stations we are not only providing more reliable service to our customers, but also putting our money where our mouth is in terms of utilizing environmentally friendly innovation."

Increased services provided by the solar-powered pay stations include:

Multiple Payment Options – The new Pay-Station Meters accept coins, bills, and credit or debit cards. 

Pay Once Benefit - The new meters allow drivers to exit and enter the parking lot on the same day without having to pay for a different space. Customers pay once and the pass is valid for the entire day at the lot.

Less Down Time – The new Pay Stations communicate wirelessly with the central parking computer, notifying the City if they are not working properly.

Environmentally Friendly - The new Pay Station Meters run on solar power.

Easy to Use - The new Pay Station Meters are also simple to use (see attached graphic). 

For over 45 years, the mission of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency has been to enhance the quality of life by revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting economic development, creating jobs, providing affordable housing and encouraging citizen participation.

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