Smart Card Machines Are Installed in Borough

Candace Braun

As the Borough prepares for the April 1 Park-and-Shop garage opening, Smart Card machines are being installed in Borough Hall and at the new Spring Street garage, which will bring 500 parking spaces to the Borough.

Smart Card machines will work like ATM machines, with patrons able to continually add money to the card to pay for parking at the new garage and in parking meters downtown. Smart Card users will receive a card the first time they use the machine, which can be used over and over to add money to in increments of $20, $35, and $50.

Patrons will receive a 10-percent parking credit each time they add money to their card. For example, a $50 purchase will yield a $5 credit.

The garage completion is still set for April 1, said Robert Bruschi, Borough administrator.

"The big issues are outside construction," said Mr. Bruschi, who said that snow forecasted for this week may alter the schedule slightly, as the entrances to the garage need to be paved during milder weather.

A Smart Card machine and pay-by-foot machine for patrons paying with cash or credit cards are also currently being installed in the new garage, said Mr. Bruschi. All parking machines should be activated within the next few weeks.

"We're still within two to three weeks of opening," said Mayor Joseph O'Neill.