Smart Cards can be used at the City’s parking meters and are available for sale at the Parking Service’s Customer Service office at 820 Washington Street, located in the Lincoln Street Deck. For additional information, please call 545-4015 or email ParkingServices@columbiasc.gov
Smart Cards can be used in all City meters except those on five blocks of Bull Street from Lady Street to Laurel Street. To pay for parking with a Smart Card, a customer simply inserts it into the slot on the parking meter. The meter will read the tiny microchip embedded in the card and the meter will show you how much money is left on the Smart Card. By leaving the card in the meter, the card will purchase time in 20 minute increments every few seconds. Smart Cards are the size of a credit card and fit conveniently into a wallet or pocket. The first time purchasing a Smart Card, the initial amount must be no less than $20 and the card itself costs $5. Customers who purchase Smart Cards will receive a bonus 6% of time on their cards.
Once the original amount has been used, the card can be “re-charged” at the Customer Service Office.