Your complaints were heard! Cape May gets new USER-FRIENDLY parking meters to replace the “old” Rhino USER-UNFRIENDLY parking meters
Visitors and locals alike will be pleased as punch to see NEW user-friendly parking meters which are slated to be installed around the Washington Street Mall and the Jackson Street parking lot by May 1, when the meters go back on in the city.
The “old” and VERY unpopular Rhino meters, purchased about five years ago, will be removed and stored until the city can find a municipality which uses them and may want to buy them. The new meters will:
- NOT be space-designated. In other words, users will buy time and get a receipt which they will put on their dashboard for police to see. Drivers can park anywhere along the Mall that accepts the Metric meters. Those parking in the Jackson Street lot, which is a 12-hour lot, can park anywhere in that lot, but CANNOT move their vehicle over to the Mall, which has a three hour parking limit.
- Be larger and hopefully more visible
- Will have a panel which can be seen in sunlight and at night
- You can pay with quarters or a credit card. The city, if council approves at its regular meeting Tuesday, Feb.15, is also expected to add acceptance of dollar bills to the payment options.
As to the handicapped parking rule, the state of News Jersey maintains that handicapped drivers can park in spaces designated as such, but must still pay the meter. However, the City of Cape May has had a policy of not ticketing handicapped drivers after the meter expires. More recently, City Council passed an amendment to the parking ordinance which states that anyone parking in a blue designated handicapped parking space does not have to pay. HOWEVER, those with handicapped signs that they put on the dashboard who park in any available parking spot DO have to pay the meter. So if you figured that one out – you should probably try your hand at the bar exam.
In other words, Handicapped Parkers will henceforth be able to park for free only in designated “Handicapped Parking” spaces. No longer will they be able to park for free in a metered space. Is that what the new ordinance means?
Why for free?
It is a courtesy extended by the City of Cape May to those who are handicapped.
Yes, Harvey, that is my understanding – that those parking in non-designated spots may be subject to parking tickets. I believe, however, the whole issue is still under review and we’ll keep you posted.
PLEASE add the dollar bill option!
I don’t see how the police will be able to read every receipt on a dashboard. It doesn’t seem like it would be too cost-effective.
Jackson Street Lot? I have been there so many times and have no idea where this is?
The Jackson Street lot is the parking lot adjacent to Collier’s Liquors.
Hmmm…wondering how well those receipts will hold up in the rain and wind? Which is about the only time I use parking places. Generally it’s much easier just to walk or ride a bike.
The receipts will go on the dash of the car inside. Similar to the receipts used in the Jackson lot.
Looks like a great addition to our City! I hope City Council will add acceptance of dollar bills as an option of payment. I also commend our City for not charging designated handicapped spots only.
Is the price staying the same?
This new meter is a disaster. First, you cannot add to your time. You must wait until your time expires, and then purchase time. If you buy time sooner, you loose the original time left (more money for the city). Second, the meter readers must waste time looking in each car window rather than simply check a single meter for all the cars. We have this system in downtown Philly. Could have just left one meter per car and saved a load of money. Wonder who’s making a bonus selling these to the City of Cape May.
Aww Man! I just got used to the meters that were there! I didn’t have a problem with them.
I always have to add time to the meters.Why have meters that require you to wait until they expire,or waste minutes so that you can add minutes?The old meters were no problem once you learned to use them.The biggest problem that I could see was that many people did not realize that they had to pay.Why not just go back to the old individual meter at each spot concept?You could still have the credit card or cash meters,just one at every spot.That way no one would miss their meter.
Well I guess I am ready for the Bar exam. You might think we are not able to understand these instructions,by your comment.
Well here is a riddle for all involved in the meters. When a resturant is to hot inside for the customers to be comfortable and the business does nothing about it, when the stores are to hot to shop as they feel it is better not to use the air, how do you really think this is going to effect Cape May?
P.S. I am speaking about the meters,though I am using heat as a metaphor, now are you ready for the bar exam.
Chances are it will affect the individual business more than it will Cape May, Betty. With the choices available in the Cape, it is easy to find a place that is comfortable to shop in, or dine in.
It is just a matter of time even with the meters,they will limit our time in the parking spaces,not allowing more then an hour and they will make the tires with chalk and one will have to move on.
Playing meter maid isn’t fun.
P.S. Type “O” …that is MARK the tires.
Eh they were recently “changed”, and those meters worked just fine. Much ado about nothing to give somebody something to do… me thinks.
I am a regular visitor to Cape May. I come down for a week at a time, 2 0r 3 times a year,along with several day trips. I live in Toms River and have always appreciated the courtesy afforded the handicapped, like myself, by Cape May. I hope this policy does not end. Thank-you in advance