City of San Fernando residents may have noticed a change in the San Fernando Mall, as all the old coin-operated parking meters were replaced this week with new smart meters that accept both coins and credit cards.
“Other cities have had card-operated meters for quite some time now, so we’re just making sure that we’re updating [our meters],” said Isabella Tapia, interim management analyst for the City of San Fernando.
“Obviously there are some patrons in the city that rely on coins, but we know … there’s been some trouble with that as people tend to [only] carry cards now.”
Along San Fernando Road, between Kalisher Street and Brand Boulevard, 72 smart meters were installed, a process that was quickly completed within hours.
The parking rate per hour on the new machines is $0.75 – if you’re paying with a card, you will be charged a minimum of $1. You can add more time to your meter with either coins or a card.
The Convenience of Smart Meters
Will Pettener, assistant to the city manager, said that having only coin machines not only made it inconvenient for people who don’t carry change but also reduced business for shops in the San Fernando Mall, as potential customers with limited change would only have a limited time to wander around and spend time in the area.
“So by having machines that accept cards, I think it increases the total amount of parking time … and makes it so that more people who come from out of town can actually visit local businesses,” Pettener said. “I think that’s a huge benefit to the economy and the different businesses.”
Smart meters make transactions faster and easier and can collect data on parking usage. They also do away with coin handling and theft.
This is the first phase of the city’s smart meter installation, which will phase out the old coin machines altogether. Replacing the other meters in town is being prioritized based on their high traffic volume.
One of these areas will be near the San Fernando Courthouse, where 19 meters on Third, Fourth and Newton streets will be replaced. Other locations are still in the planning phase.
The city will not be creating additional parking spaces – only installing new meters at existing spots.
Don’t Park Near Crosswalks
Another recent change to note, the City of San Fernando is in the early stages of enforcing Assembly Bill (AB) 413 – otherwise known as the “daylighting” law – which prohibits parking within 20 feet of marked and unmarked crosswalks. Approximately 30-40 noncompliant parking meters will be removed citywide.
The city is currently exercising a grace period, issuing warning citations and providing information flyers on AB 413 for the past month to drivers parked in these spots. The City of San Fernando will enforce the law starting on April 1.