Yes, I read the linked article. Yes, the city made this decision. The decision could be reverted. I understand that this is a type of thing the OP (top-comment in the thread) is wishing for.

I don't see the "impossible" in my understanding of the linked article.

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TheChaplain 12 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Budget-wise it becomes impossible.

Coin-operated meters means someone have to come around checking the meter, collect coins, check the parking tickets. One person can only cover so many devices per day.

Then you have mechanical maintenance, with that comes disputes with "it was broken, it didn't accept the money" and so forth.

I've probably forgotten a number of other related things, but compare the above to digital solution.

Parking app, where the customer pays only for the parked time, no fiddling with money or keeping track of time. The parking attendant checks much quicker by just scanning the license plate while walking the rounds (could be done via car and a mounted camera even).

Analog just costs more, and citizens doesn't want taxes to go to things that are not strictly necessary.

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plst 12 hours ago | parent [-]

It was possible for many decades already, budget and maintenance-wise. You can at least accept a credit card as an alternative. Yes, it's not perfect, but the fully digital alternatives also have drawbacks, as pointed by OP.

	▲	renewiltord 8 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Things that were possible become impossible. Once Britain ruled the seas with wooden sailboats. Those boats are not perfect but could they win today’s naval battles? Also no.
	▲	Spivak 11 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I know but you're fighting the cost difference between installing CC terminals and QR code stickers.

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fhn 11 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

"The decision could be reverted." Do you often buy a new car and revert that purchase to purchase a different new car? I guess you don't often use your own money so no big deal.

	▲	plst 11 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Why the snark? Did I misread? I don't often buy a new car, do you? I really don't understand what your last sentence means. I don't even think this a fair comparison, it's more like keeping the old car just in case or for other family members. But I think I specified enough what I'm arguing already, yes this is unlikely, just not impossible.