Introducing the new CashKey
Parking Meter Debit System
Parking in Downtown Albany has never been easier!
The
CashKey
The “CashKey” is a reusable debit system for downtown Albany’s
parking meters. While it resembles an actual key (for convenience and durability),
it can be used at any specially marked parking meter. Instead of fumbling
around your pockets or car for quarters and dollars, simply insert the
CashKey into the meter and the meter will deduct the amount directly from
the key.
CashKeys can be programmed with prepaid amounts in $10.00 increments up
to $100.00. Put the key into the specially marked parking meter (picture
below), and the meter will show the dollar amount that is available on
the CashKey. When the key is pulled out, the parking meter will display
the meter time. Each time you push the key back into the meter and partially
withdraw it, the meter will register additional minutes (as though you
had put another quarter into the meter).
Parking rates with CashKey are the same as when using cash, so the rate
depends on where you park and the posted time limit. Look on the meter
to determine how many minutes each quarter or insertion buys. The electronic
parking meters will either accept coins, CashKey or a combination of both.
Getting the CashKey
There are three ways to purchase CashKeys:
- Click here to purchase your CashKey online.
- Visit the Albany Parking Authority offices at 655 Broadway in downtown
Albany Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm to purchase your CashKey
in person.
- Schedule a CashKey Event! Contact us and
we'll come to you! An Internet connection is required, and purchase at
least 10 CashKeys.
When you purchase a CashKey, you are charged a deposit of $20.00 plus the
dollar amount of meter time you wish to purchase. When the amount programmed
on the CashKey is exhausted (or at any time), you may either replenish your
key in person or by mailing the CashKey to us with this completed
form. CashKeys are rechargeable and can be used indefinitely;
they are not a "throw away" item.
If you need to return an undamaged CashKey, mail your key to the Albany
Parking Authority, 655 Broadway Albany NY 12207. A check for the meter
time remaining on the CashKey and your deposit will be mailed to you. (Allow
2 weeks for processing.)
CashKeys are as good as cash. Whoever has the key can use it. Without
your CashKey, there is no way to know how much money is left on the key.
Therefore, no refunds or deposits can be issued for a lost key.
CashKeys are very durable and even exposure to rain, snow or airport x-rays
do not typically damage them. In the unlikely event that your CashKey is
damaged, we will issue a refund of the remaining amount on the key only
if we can determine how much money is left.
Using the CashKey
1.
PARK in a space, which features a CashKey meter. CashKey meters have a
CashKey sticker on the faceplate.
2. READ the meter to determine how many minutes each quarter or insertion
buys. That way you will know how much to purchase.
3. INSERT the CashKey into the round keyhole on the parking meter. The
meter will then display the remaining cash value on your CashKey. Re-insert
the CashKey in the parking meter and the meter will deduct $.25 per insertion
and give the amount of minutes that each quarter would provide for that
meter. The quarter will be deducted from your CashKey and the meter will
display the total credited time.
4. CHECK the meter to ensure the desired amount of time has been registered.
The key may be reinserted if additional time is needed. Remember, each
time you re-insert the key, a quarter will be deducted from the key and
you will get a quarter’s worth of minutes on the meter.
More Information
Have more questions about the CashKey? See our FAQ page.