Title
Parking Fare Terminals - Annual Maintenance
History
In 2007, the Village of Orland Park purchased 14 Parking Fare Terminals from Total Parking Solutions, Inc. (TPS) for its three Metra commuter parking lots. Upon paying a daily fee, the commuters are provided a printed receipt for their parking fee rather than leaving money in an honor box (prior system). The commuter has the option of paying $1 each day or purchasing a pre-loaded value card, therefore not having to worry about daily cash transactions. The terminals are locked and money is secured; only cashiers can open the currency and coin boxes. The terminals automatically print a receipt when the money boxes are exchanged; this provides staff with a balancing tool for currency and coins. Monies are collected weekly from the Metra Lots and currency does not need to be unfolded prior to counting, reducing the time spent preparing the cash for bank deposit.
The terminals communicate (via WebOffice) by sending e-mails directly to Village Staff (Finance Department and CSOs) when there is an issue or if maintenance needs to be provided (i.e. change receipt paper, bill jam, etc.). The CSOs are able to log in via WebOffice and check individual spaces for payment using their smart phones. WebOffice also provides CSOs with a listing of paid spaces making it easier to ticket violators. Staff is also able to use WebOffice for financial reporting.
Within the last 3 years, we have added a new feature providing the commuter the option of paying for their daily parking space using a credit or debit card from their smart phone once they are on the train. This allows the commuter to be worry-free if they are unable to pay their daily fee prior to boarding the train. The free application is offered by Park Mobile who is working in conjunction with Total Parking Solutions. There is a convenience fee of $0.37 for each transaction that the commuter pays.
In order to have the terminals maintained on a qua...
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