New parking meters tested on Cambridge St.

The new meters operate in both English and Spanish and take credit cards as well as dollar bills and quarters. They also reduce the need for a meter at every space. One meter can monitor four to eight parking spaces. If the program were to be implemented, the numbers of meters on the streets of Boston would be reduced from about 7,300 to anywhere between 912 to 1,825 meters.

The BTD will also be testing another type of meter in downtown Boston that issues a receipt drivers can stick under their windshields. That program should start next week, according to Tracey Ganiatsos from the BTD.

“They seem to make more sense,” said Ben Colburn, chair of the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s Traffic and Parking Committee. “They take dollar bills so every merchant on Charles Street will be happy.”

Drivers with questions should call the BTD Hotline at 617-635-4BTD.