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Make it Plastic

Posted by Guest Blogger on April 15, 2005 - 11:51am.

Becky Bombero is a UCONN Political Science and Communications graduate. She is currently the Mayor's campaign assistant.

Today I am going to get my very own New Haven smart card. I had a card like this at UConn – where my student ID could be used to buy things from campus coffee shops and the Co-op. The difference is that I will not have to pay to activate my New Haven smart card.

I will go to Atticus to get my free card and put $50 dollars on it which I can then use at many downtown merchants. It will be great – I’m notorious for forgetting to go to the ATM so I rarely have cash on me – I can fill this up one time and not have to worry about running to the ATM all the time.

It will be even better when the smart card meters start showing up over the summer. Yesterday I spent nearly $2 filling my meters and I had to dig through my ashtray for 5 minutes to find all those quarters.

I look forward to seeing what other merchants sign on to accept the smart card. Who would you like to see sign up?

( categories: In the News )
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Comments

I love the idea of using it in the meters, who carries change around any more? Way to go New Haven, I think this could really take off.

Posted by SoxFan on April 15, 2005 - 12:23pm.
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MORE plastic? Have we forgotten about the environment here? There has GOT to be a better biodegradeable way!

Posted by Anonymouss on April 15, 2005 - 12:35pm.
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Make sure you keep ALL meters Dual Use(both cards and coins).
I visited NYC and the meters ONLY take the prepaid cards which force out of towners into VERY EXPENSIVE garages even when street parking is available.

Posted by kingfish on April 15, 2005 - 10:23pm.
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I think we're also forgetting about the disequally abled. Meters are often placed too high for some users, and orienting the insertion point of cards may also be improper. These things need to be carefully regulated. Where does the mayor stand on this point???

Posted by Anonymouss on April 15, 2005 - 11:19pm.
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Who the heck has $50 to invest in a parking meter card? I don't. I just had to send the IRS a big check. When is tax freedom day this year? June?

The mayor must be paying the campaign people very well.

Posted by April 15 on April 16, 2005 - 7:23am.
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April 15--The card itself doesn't cost $50. You can put $50 on it, like a prepaid phone card, and use that in parking meters. The card itself is free.
Posted by Shonu Gandhi on April 16, 2005 - 6:28pm.
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I aint got $50 to front to the meter mades. This wacked. Straight wacked. Dude aint gettin votes for this here looks like.

Posted by Mr. Newton on April 16, 2005 - 8:49pm.
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Sounds innovative and pretty cool. I think the Smart Card, while not revolutionary, is another plus for downtown - which appears to be thriving. I'd love to see John bring some of the energy to Hartford, Waterbury, New London and Norwich.

Posted by atucker on April 17, 2005 - 1:22pm.
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I'm afraid the smart card may be too smart. I don't need to give big brother my money before letting him track my every move. This is 1984 in 2005. I'm amazed the mayor is for such a thing.

Posted by Just me on April 17, 2005 - 5:30pm.
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Do these meter cards have cool designs? I'm thinking that if they'd offer a Manatee card, perhaps people would be willing to kick in a few extra bucks to save the Manatees. Every little bit helps.

Posted by Manatee on April 17, 2005 - 7:40pm.
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Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog. Its great to see such a terrific dialogue developing.

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The $50 dollars would not go to parking. I don't spend nearly that much on parking - and the multi use meters will not become active until the summer. The $50 on the card will be used instead of cash - mostly for lunches. Its a cool way to limit my spending by reducing the amount of cash I have on me - I give new meaning to money burning a hole in my pocket - so I always try not to carry much cash. I would love to see more downtown merchants add on - my favorite places for lunch are Woodlands & Rainbow Cafe - I would love to see them join on - who would you like to see participate?

Posted by Becky on April 18, 2005 - 9:49am.
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See if you can put Pancho's on the list. I like having lunch there.

Posted by Pancho's fan on April 19, 2005 - 4:08pm.
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