Fairfield Train Stations Simplify Ways To Pay For Parking

The Fairfield Parking Authority will begin using an electronic system for tracking day parking passes at the Fairfield and Southport train stations. The system will allow commuters to pay their fees by phone or online using a credit card or PayPal along with the traditional mail-in method.

“We heard from many commuters that paying by credit card was a desired convenience, so this allows us to make the parking experience a little easier while saving our parking staff time and money issuing tickets every day,” Fairfield Parking Authority Chair Mary Kay Frost said in a statement.

Complus Data Innovations Inc. will give handheld devices to Fairfield special police officers and Fairfield Parking Authority staff to scan for permits and issue newer, smaller day tickets. The system will be similar to one used in 15 other Connecticut towns, including Westport and New Haven.

"We were impressed by CDI’s experience in Connecticut and the technology they offered at no upfront cost to the Town,” Frost said.

The new payment website will go live when the program launches Friday. The new electronic system will also have records of past parking tickets from the Parking Authority’s old records.

The changes will not affect the base prices for tickets issued at either station. Commuters will still have to pay $6 per day in the designated day parking lots and $35 in reserved spaces if the car does not have a permit. But the cost of late fees will rise for tickets not paid within 10 days. Late payments will now require a $3.50 convenience fee for credit card payment.

The changes will apply only to the Fairfield Center and Southport commuter lots. The Parking Authority does not maintain the Fairfield Metro station’s lot, so that station’s system will remain the same.

The changes go into effect Dec. 7. The Parking Authority has published a list of frequently asked questions on its website with more information.

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