Urban Eola

When was the last time you used a pay phone?

As I walked in the trendy Thornton Park neighborhood (Washington Post article) last week, I noticed a pay phone and wondered who uses those things anymore? Cell phones have obviously made them obsolete. I can't remember the last time I personally used a pay phone. I remember in junior high school I used to call my mom collect and when they asked for my name, I'd quickly say "practice over, come pick me up".

I don't even think people think of using them nowadays. For example if someone's cell phone died, I could see them waiting for it to charge up again before using a pay phone. However, if not just for their pure old-school symbolism, I think they should be kept active and functioning wherever possible. In fact, I'm going to use one next time I get a chance.

Declining numbers spell likely end to payphones - USA Today.

History of the cost of pay phone calls
In the United States, the coin rate for a local direct-dialed station-to-station call from a pay phone has been 50¢ in most areas since mid-2001, for an unlimited number of minutes. During the 1960s and 1970s, the same call in the United States typically cost 10¢. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, this price gradually changed to 20¢, and again rose to 25¢ in some areas between 1985 and 1990. In the late 1990s, the price rose to 35¢ in many areas.

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posted by Michael Tavani @ 12:04 AM |

1 Comments:

At 12:06 PM, Blogger JB said...

absolutely no recognition whatsoever...and the guy is too lazy to go take the picture of the actual pay phone that I told him to blog about!!!! one big slap in the face

 

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