New Meter System Considered at Ridgewood Park and Ride

The park and ride on Route 17 in Ridgewood will move from individual parking meters to a single pay station accepting both coins and bills, if the village council approves the purchase of a multi-space meter.

Village officials have a quote of just under $10,000 from Mackay Meters for the unit, and believe the cost will be offset by the potential savings of reusing the park and ride's 75 meters elsewhere as well as reducing staff time spent hauling quarters.

“The unit would be set up initially to take bills and coins, but have the capability to take payments via credit cards if and when the Village accepts credit cards,” public works director Chris Rutishauser wrote to the council.

In October they had discussed the purchase of a smart phone payment system for parking throughout the village, but held off on the proposal to explore additional vendors.

Councilman Tom Riche suggested the village obtain quotes from other manufacturers before moving ahead with the proposed multi-space meter.

“I would suggest that we get bids on this, because this council has taken issue with buying things that are not on a specific purchase order,” he said.

The village could obtain the system under an old purchase order with Mackay for meters, said Rutishauser. Meters from the park and ride could be installed elsewhere in the village instead of the new units.

His recommendation was for a single, pay by space unit for the lot, which is used mostly by commuters. Officials sought to ensure the system would be compatible with a mobile app in the future before proceeding.