PORTLAND (AP) — Portland is getting rid of more parking meters and replacing them with solar-powered pay stations that take debit and credit cards in addition to coins.

The city installed 18 of the pay-station kiosks last year on Commercial Street and near Maine Medical Center. It announced Thursday it plans to install more of them in the city’s Old Port and downtown areas beginning in October.

City officials said the pay stations allow more vehicles to park along the street, make for easier sidewalk snow removal and result in a cleaner streetscape.

With the new parking system, motorists walk to a pay station, pay for the desired amount of time and then display the receipt on their vehicle dashboard.

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