The Tampa Port Authority is proud to announce a new and efficient parking system being installed at its multi-level parking garage, located across from Channelside Bay Plaza, Tampa’s downtown entertainment hub.

The modern, user-friendly ChipCoin® system utilizes technology based on data storage chips embedded in a plastic carrier in the form of a coin.  The coins are re-usable and thus friendly to the environment.  The coins and simple machinery eliminate some costs associated with traditional parking systems, such as on-going ticket purchases and operating and maintenance costs.  The installation represents the first of its type in Florida and one of the first in the United States, according to garage management.

Cory Hubert, general manager at the parking garage, conducted a thorough demonstration of the new system for port director and CEO Richard Wainio, who was impressed with the efficient, cost-saving machines, conceptualized and designed in Germany by Scheidt & Bachmann.  The system features advance payment for long-term cruise patrons and a quick payment process for short-term patrons, eliminating long waits upon leaving the garage.

“Customers of the Channelside area and our cruise passengers will benefit from this easy-to-use system, which was clearly designed to benefit both the user and the operator.  We are delighted to be the first business anywhere in Florida to offer this impressive system,” Wainio said.  “A very significant and noticeable benefit to customers will be a rapid exit process after special events and cruises.”

The Port of Tampa is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse seaports, handling nearly 50 million tons of cargo per year.  The port is also the nation’s seventh-largest cruise port and plays an active roll in mixed-use development, such as the Channelside entertainment complex.  For more information about the port, visit www.tampaport.com.