Metro farecard machines give $1 coins as change
January 1, 2009 - 7:49am
WASHINGTON - People who don't like to get lots of
quarters from Metro farecard machines will like
this idea, but those who can't stand $1 coins will
cringe.
More than 900 Metro farecard machines are now
accepting and dispensing the $1 coins.
The U.S. Mint puts a positive spin on the change.
"Metro's participation will give the commuting
public an opportunity to experience the benefits
of using $1 coins," says Ed Moy, director of the
U.S. Mint.
"When you come and buy a farecard and you put a
$5 bill to buy a $2 farecard, instead of getting
12 quarters, you are going to be getting three
coins."
..
<http://www.coinnews.net/2008/12/31/video-us-mint-and-washington-
metro-1-coin-launch-4651/>
Paul
Bright, shiny ones in my experience.
<paulra...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:2a0a6816-b351-40df...@d36g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
Former USMint director Jay Johnson did something similar in April, 2001 in
regards to the City of Appleton's downtown parking ramp toll machines
accepting FRNs up to $20 and using $1 coins for making change (rate is $1 or
$2 per hour to enter, depending on time of day, park as long as one wants),
presenting the city's mayor with a certificate of appreciation for it. Many
downtown Appleton parking meters accept $1 coins, too). I also received an
identical certificate at that time acknowledging my own use of $1 coins for
making change at work (oh, how I miss James Benfield!) and earlier in the day
he presented an additional one to a local breakroom vending machine operator
for their extensive and long-running use of $1 coins in their operation.
It's still hanging on my wall. :-)
Jay Johnson was previously a one-term USHouse Rep. from the Appleton area.
--
___________________________________________ ____ _______________
Regards, | |\ ____
| | | | |\
Michael G. Koerner May they | | | | | | rise again!
Appleton, Wisconsin USA | | | | | |
___________________________________________ | | | | | | _______________
Oops, rate is just $1 or $2 to enter, park as long as one wants. There are a
few three-hour limit spaces in a couple of them, but the entry rate still applies.
I assume the machines will also accept $1 coins. Otherwise, I wonder how
many parkers with twenty dollar bills it would take to exhaust the supply of
$1 coins available for change.
Yepper, they take them.
:-)
As for using $1 coins for changemaking at them, IMHO, it is a lot better to
only have to get 19 $1 coins back, as opposed to 76 quarters (just under two
rolls of 'em - all loose), when using a $20.
If they actually do start to recirculate through Metro fare machines,
they'll be dull, dirty ones in less than a month.
Agreed, but I still wonder how quickly the machines run out of change. IMO,
anyone who unexpectedly receives 19 dollar coins in change is not likely to
become a fan of them. But then if one expects to occasionally use
unattended pay parking facilities, one should be more prepared.