Parking in downtown Phoenix may get a little easier in the next few weeks as workers begin installing new meters. KJZZ’s Al Macias reports you won’t need a pocket full of change anymore.

Starting in mid-January, about 500 parking meters will be installed in downtown Phoenix. The new meters will accept coins, credit or debit cards.  There will also be card-friendly pay stations that will handle ten meters each. 

Phoenix has about 2,400 meters city wide, most in the downtown area. An hour of parking costs $1.50. The city says it will not be raising fees even though it will cost the city money to install the new machines and there is a usage fee when motorists swipe their plastic at the meter.

The first phase of meters should be installed by the end of the month. The next batch will be installed near Phoenix College in west central Phoenix and midtown along the business corridor.