Pre-paid parking meter cards to expire in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A company that has provided pre-paid card services for New Haven parking meters and over a dozen retail and restaurants since June 2006 has decided not to renew its contract with the city when the current contract expires on Friday, February 28.

Parcxmart provides two cards in New Haven -- The New Haven City Card and the Elm City Resident Card.

As of Saturday, March 1 residents with either Parcxmart card will no longer work as a form of payment at the old parking meters around the city or at the establishments where the cards are currently accepted.

Residents should consider the amount of money that they load onto their cards over the next two weeks, keeping in mind that the card will not work after Feb. 28.

However, all residents are entitled to a refund of money that has been loaded onto the card.

Call Parcxmart at (877) 929-3050 to obtain a refund.

As credit card meters become more popular, the smart card is losing it's value.

Jim Travers, the Director of Transportation, Traffic and Parking noted that the city is looking into another payment option for the city's parking meters.

"They can use the telephone number on the back and get a refund for the existing balance that's on the card or they can continue to use the card. We've actually just secured a deal with the vendor that they can use the card beyond the March 1st date," said Travers.

After March 1, you can no longer add value to the card, but can still use it until funds are gone.

For a list of stores that accept the Parcxmart card,  click here.