Using Smart Cards

Have you noticed that the parking meters in Philadelphia look a little different these days? The Philadelphia Parking Authority has equipped all meters throughout the city to accept Smart Cards as well as coins!

Now you won’t have to hunt for quarters when you want to park at a meter! Smart Cards are the size of a credit card, so they fit conveniently in your wallet or pocket. The smart cards are available in $10, $20 and $50 denominations.

The Smart Way to Pay for Parking

Your card will automatically begin adding time to the meter in 25¢ increments, deducting that amount of money from the remaining value on your card. When you reach the desired amount of time on the meter, remove your card from the slot.

Cards will not add time beyond the meter’s pre-set limit, or if purchasing additional time would carry you into a time when parking is prohibited on that block. For example, if your meter is zoned for two hour parking, you will not be able to pay for more than two hours. Similarly, if you park in a space at 3:30 PM that is zoned No Parking 4 PM – 6 PM, you will only be able to pay for 30 minutes using your Smart Card.

At this time, Smart Cards are not to re-loadable; when your Smart Card runs out, please discard it and purchase another.