[jlousa]

The COV will be using the Granville St redesign to try out parking pay stations. The plan is to have a paystation per block instead of meters infront of every spot. These paystations will give you the option of using credit/debit cards and even proximity cards which you can't currently do. The best part is you could use any paystation to top up your time. They will also be solar powered but hardwired to AC for backup. Here are some of the details in the RFP.

REQUIREMENT
Quotations are invited for the supply of multi-space pay-by-license plate pay stations, as set out herein, for the City of Vancouver. The City of Vancouver is planning to conduct a trial of multi-space pay-by-license plate pay stations in Downtown Vancouver on Granville Street. The City is seeking vendors that have experience and knowledge of similar installations at other municipal organizations and will provide and install parking equipment that will provide reliable, high level service.

Through this RFQ process, the City of Vancouver would like to receive proposals regarding:
a) Complete pay-by-license plate solutions
b) Proposals for additional / optional components
c) Detailed pricing for the solutions and components
d) Integration with enforcement officers and equipment
e) Shared maintenance options and costs
f) License requirements
g) Training and post-implementation support

The purchase of pay-by-license plate pay stations will be used to trial the effectiveness of multi-space parking machines within the existing City of Vancouver parking infrastructure. The City’s expectations with the installation of pay-by-license plate pay stations are (but not limited to):
a) Improved Customer Service
1) Users may purchase time from any pay-station
2) Users will have increased payment options
3) Users will not have to return to their vehicle
4) User can purchase additional time (up to the maximum allowable) remotely.
b) Revenue Increases
1) Increased payment options should increase compliance levels
2) If a pay-station malfunctions, payment can be made at another pay-station and/or by telephone
3) Audit controls for cash flow and revenue collection will be enhanced
c) Management & Operations
1) Rates/operational schedules can be pre-programmed ahead of time
2) Reduced field time for operations
3) Enforcement and collections personnel can be deployed with greater efficiency