City of Columbia Parking Services Continues Discount on SmartCards | News

The City of Columbia Parking Services Department will continue offering special discounts on SmartCards through the end of January.

SmartCards are the size of a credit card, so they fit conveniently in a wallet or pocket. They can be purchased with $20, $50, $75, $100 or $150 amounts. The Smart Card itself is $5, but from now until the end of January 2013 the $5 fee will be waived. There will also be a 20% discount for those purchasing new cards or recharging existing cards.

Once the original amount has been used, the card can be recharged at the Customer Care Service Office.

SmartCards can be used in all City parking meters except those on five blocks of Bull Street, from Lady St. to Laurel St.

To pay for parking with a SmartCard, a customer simply inserts it into the slot of the parking meter. The meter will read the tiny microchip embedded in the card and the meter will show you how much money is left on the card. By leaving the card in the slot, the card will purchase time in 20 minute increments every few seconds. The card will not put more time on the meter than the maximum the meter will take.

City officials believe the SmartCards and tokens will provide an excellent convenience for those who often park at meters. In addition, the city is hopeful that the two products will reduced the number of coins used and reduce the burden of collecting more than 60 tons of coins each year.

Merchants selling cards:

· Collections Department - 1136 Washington St.

· Museum of Art - 1515 Main St.

· Capital City Club - 1201 Main St.

· Landmark Resources - 1516 Richland St.

For more information or questions, please call Parking Services at 803-545-4015.