Parking
SmartMeters
SmartMeter Parking Cards
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SmartMeter Parking Card?
Where can I get one?
How do I get one?
Where can I use my smart card?
Can I purchase more than one?
How much value should be on my smart card?
Can I add more value to my card or do I have to throw it away when it’s empty?
How does it work?
Why should I use a smart card instead of my credit card?
Does the card expire?
What happens if my smart card gets lost or stolen?

What is a SmartMeter Parking Card?

A SmartMeter Parking Card (smart card) is a credit card sized plastic card with a memory chip embedded in it. The smart chip holds information in electronic form, in this case, electronic money. The card can be re-loaded when you want to purchase more parking time. It operates like a prepaid phone card.

SmartMeter Parking Cards may be purchased at the following locations or click here for a map of locations: 

• Portland Office of Transportation, 1120 SW 5^th at the 8th floor reception desk ( this is the only site thus far where your card can be recharged with additional money)
• Portland State University’s (PSU) Office of Transportation and Parking, Neuberger Hall (724 SW Harrison St.)
• PSU The Urban Center Plaza (SW 6^th Ave. and Mill St.)
• Portland Center for Performing Arts (PCPA) Box Office (1111 SW Broadway St.)
• Oregon Federal Credit Union (1437 SW Broadway)
• Lloyd District TMA (700 NE Multnomah Ste. 340)
• Bentos & Coffee ( 431 SW Madison)
• Portland Classical Chinese Garden (127 NW Third Ave.)
• Umpqua Bank (1139 NW Lovejoy)
• Downtown Central Library, Friends of the Library (801 SW 10th Ave)
• Oregon Health & Science Univeristy (3310 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd.)
• Garbero's Urban Cafe (414 SW 13th Ave.)
• High School PMC Pharmacy (501 SW 10th Ave.)

We will add to the list in the future as we continue to develop and establish more partnerships with local agencies and businesses for the sale and distribution of Smart Cards.

Right now there are three ways to get a smart card:

• Come to the addresses listed above with a check or credit card.
• Phone in your order (503) 823-4012 with your credit card number to have it mailed to you.
• Mail in your order with a check and have the card mailed to you.

If you would like to be notified when we have parking cards ready to sell, please fill in the information below, and we will email or mail you.

At this time the smart card may only be used to purchase parking time at the SmartMeters on city streets. Parking garages and other off-street parking sites do not accept the SmartMeter Parking Card.

Yes. They would make great stocking stuffers!!

Users typically fill their card with value equaling several week's worth of parking time.

Your smart card may be refilled as often as you need. You may do this by following one of the three steps under "How do I get one?"

It works like a credit or debit card but it’s more flexible. Immediately after you have inserted your smart card into the card reader, the SmartMeter display will tell you how much value you have on the smart card. To purchase parking time, press the blue "Maximum Time" button to purchase the maximum time allowed for that machine, or press the blue button for parking time in 15-minute increments. Press the green button to complete your transaction. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR CARD UNTIL THE DISPLAY TELLS YOU TO DO SO. The SmartMeter will print a receipt for you. There is no transaction fee. The SmartMeter will remove the appropriate value from your smart card total.

A smart card is a great way to budget your parking expenses or those of your employees. It works like cash and unlike credit/debit cards, there is no minimum charge of $1.00 so there is no need to worry about needing a receipt, and you don’t have to review a checking account or banking statement at the end of the month.

No.

Smart cards are like cash so you need to protect them as you would your cash.