CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Newly installed electronic parking meters that accept debit and credit cards will be activated Monday at nine downtown Chula Vista parking lots, city officials announced Thursday.

The meters, which will also accept coins and pre-paid rechargeable gift cards, are intended to make parking downtown better, faster and more convenient, city officials said.

"Cities across the country have introduced these new machines and methods of payment," said Diem Do, the city's interim parking director.

"No one has to worry about searching for change anymore," he said. "People everywhere like the convenience of paying with a card." Volunteers will be out and about in downtown Chula Vista on Monday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to assist people with the new machines.

The pre-paid parking cards are available for purchase at the Finance Department at Chula Vista City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave.