Corpus Christi tries solar-powered parking meters

Crews on Tuesday were scheduled to install the first of about 30 so-called smart meters.

The test run, for three months, will help determine whether to replace the roughly 900 meters citywide.

City parking director Mark Denson says some of the current meters are more than 20 years old.

Denson says credit card meters used in other parts of the country led to fewer tickets being written for violations, but more money taken in. Denton says people tend to charge more money to their card to be sure their parking meters don't expire.