Parking meters now take prepaid cards

OK, you can file this under "things that make me happy", even if it's not exactly real estate-related...

After years of traveling to other cities and seeing the logic in prepaid parking meter cards, we have finally joined the modern era here in San Francisco.

From today's Chronicle, "San Francisco's 23,000 parking meters began accepting prepaid cards this week as part of a pilot program that allows drivers to replace the process of depositing coins with the quick swipe of plastic."

"Drivers can purchase the cards in $20 and $50 increments at six locations around the city, with more locations to open during the next month. Eventually, the meters will also take Translink cards, which are debit cards that can be used to pay for a BART, Municipal Railway or AC Transit ride."

The DPT web site has more information including the six locations that currently sell the cards.