This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Santa Monica started to install 6,000 new "smart" parking meters today that will wipe out any extra time left when a car leaves. No wonder L.A. beach dwellers are such curmudgeons.
Ground sensors detect when a car leaves and any leftover time/cash goes to the city of Santa Monica, which expects to bring in an additional $1.7 million per year, according to KTLA. The credit-card enabled meters also reject additional funds once the time limit expires. City officials say that this will help alleviate parking congestion by opening up new parking spaces more frequently.
The news comes only a week after Mayor Villaraigosa announced his plan to increase parking ticket fines throughout the city of Los Angeles. Looks like they are going to get us no matter where we park in the County!
Drivers can pay the meters with coins, credit cards, or send payment using a smart phone. To avoid parking fines, they can also sign up to receive a text message when their time is about to run out.
