City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday for the so-called “Positive Change” meters.
City Councilwoman Lynn Robinson says the goal is to raise money for bus fare and other services for transients while discouraging panhandling.
“The Positive Change program is really to help with the panhandling issues and provide folks that would normally give money to panhandlers an option and an educational tool to understand why it’s not helping those that are not moving their lives forward.”
The meters are expected to collect about $1,700 a year.
Eight red meters from the 1950s will go up within the next few months on highly visible corners along Pacific Avenue. City officials say the installation costs will be covered by private donations.
Other U.S. cities, including Cleveland, Atlanta and Denver, have also put up meters to collect donations for panhandlers in recent years.