Starting Tomorrow, September 10, No Roosevelt Island Street Parking Without Credit Cards, Meters No Longer Accepting Cash Payment - Credit Cards Only, Debit Cards Not Accepted Either Says RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced today that Roosevelt Island parking meters will not accept cash but only accept credit cards. At this time, debit cards will not be accepted.
 

According to RIOC:

On Tuesday, September 10, 2019, all parking meters on Roosevelt Island streets will be converted to a cashless system. This means parking meters will no longer be able to accept bills or coins. Only credit cards will be accepted. This transition is part of RIOC’s ongoing commitment to embrace technology that cuts costs and improves efficiency of operations. Going to a cashless system will eliminate the need to regularly remove, transport and count currency from the machines. An overwhelming majority of customers – more than eighty percent (80%) - already use credit or debit cards to pay for street parking, so we expect this to be a seamless transition.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 212-832-4540 or visit our Occupant Help Center at https://rioc.tikkit.us/login

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares this message she sent to RIOC in repsonse:

I think it is a drastic move to give residents one days notice for a change in the fee collection policy. Seven days notice with public signs posted a week before would be reasonable notification.

RIOC staff seems to think that we who live here have to jump at your commands instantaneously.

I hope to see a revised notification today with plenty of notice given on the no cash policy.

On Tuesday, September 10th, Roosevelt Island's street parking meters are going cashless. Only credit cards will be accepted. For more information, please visit our website: https://t.co/CvbN4GWavj #cashless #manhattan #rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/dRIVI8hTaJ

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) September 9, 2019

A Roosevelt Island car owner told me that the Southtown Parking meters have not been accepting cash for several weeks.

By the meters not accepting cash or debit cards,  Roosevelt Island residents without credit cards will not be able to park their car on the street.

More on Roosevelt Island parking at prior post.

UPDATE 2:45 - Roosevelt Island residents ask:

What about people who have high APRs on their credit cards?

How long will it be until they accept debit cards?

Or maybe an app that we can load money up on our phones.

And:

Will they accept the use of the ParkNYC app like rest of the city?

And:

What about people without credit cards or bank accounts? Are they just not allowed to park?
And yes, there are people, who for their own reasons, prefer not to pay for things electronically or via card.

UPDATE 9/10 - RIOC heard the community and adds debit cards to the parking meters. According to RIOC today:

Beginning Tuesday, September 10, 2019, all parking meters on Roosevelt Island streets will begin to be converted to a cashless system. This means parking meters will no longer be able to accept bills or coins. Only credit AND debit cards will be accepted. Our parking machine vendor was able to add debit cards at the urging of our residents and RIOC. We are also exploring the possibility of paying by a mobile phone app in the near future.

This transition is part of RIOC’s ongoing commitment to embrace technology that cuts costs and improves efficiency of operations. Going to a cashless system will eliminate the need to regularly remove, transport and count currency from the machines. An overwhelming majority of customers – more than eighty percent (80%) - already use credit or debit cards to pay for street parking, so we expect this to be a seamless transition. Unlike many other authorities in New York State, RIOC does not receive funding from Albany and must operate as efficiently as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 212-832-4540 or visit our Occupant Help Center at https://rioc.tikkit.us/login