Philadelphia Parking Authority retools smart card
Philadelphia Parking Authority’s “smart card” program has been more of a headache than a convenience. Introduced in October as a coin-free method for motorists to buy time on parking meters, two major glitches have led to lower than expected card sales. In the first mailing of the cards, 700 of them were damaged by the postal service and failed to work in meter heads. Another problem developed when customers were unable to insert the smart cards into some meters. A defect — the card slot was too narrow to accept the cards — on the faceplates of some of the meters prevented the cards from being used properly. Officials say the problems are being fixed and a new marketing program to encourage the use of the smart cards will begin next month. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9220861.htm
