Chicago Parking Meters LLC (CPM) officials have met with dozens of chambers of commerce, businesses, and neighborhood organizations to discuss Chicago’s metered parking system. As a result, CPM has adopted several suggestions from this recent “listening tour” to improve the system and add convenience for motorists.

“Mayor Richard M. Daley urged us to meet with each community so we could adjust the system to better meet their needs,” said CPM’s CEO, Dennis Pedrelli. “We listened, we learned, and we believe their suggestions have greatly improved the system.”

CPM has almost completely replaced the city’s 36,000 single-head, coin-operated meters with 4,100 pay boxes; the replacement project is 1-1/2 years ahead of schedule, based on the concession agreement requirements. Each pay box replaces on average nine meters. These “smart boxes” also notify operators wirelessly when they require collection or are broken.

Among the system changes now in place are:

Portable time

Receipts purchased at pay boxes are good until expiration at any meter with the same or lower hourly rate, and they now are clearly printed with the rate so motorists can determine where they can use their receipt—so people can take payment with them as they visit different businesses or districts.

Extended stays

CPM has changed pay boxes to provide extended time near theaters, concert halls, schools, hospitals, and other places where parkers require more than a two-hour stay.

Automatic parking ticket dismissal

CPM captures information on meter malfunctions in a database shared with the City of Chicago; since late summer, the City is supposed to automatically dismiss tickets for inoperable meters.

Discounted monthly parking in lots

In cooperation with the City, CPM is piloting a program at 11 commuter lots to give motorists the option of buying monthly passes at a savings.

Pre-payment

Pay boxes are programmed to offer pre-payment whenever possible.

Donated bicycle poles

CPM donated thousands of old single space meter poles and housings to the City of Chicago, retrofitting them for bicycle parking.

24/7 customer service center and hiring

Call (877) 242-7901 to report a broken meter; workers make repairs on the next business day. Call the same number or log on to www.chicagometers.com to find out about job opportunities.