Parking meter increase

[Hospitalitygirl]

Plan would triple rates at Center City meters | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/11/2008

... Nutter said at a news briefing yesterday that too many motorists were hogging meters all day, exacerbating congestion by forcing others who need short-term parking to circle in search of spaces.

Last week, the mayor sent legislation to Council asking for a rate increase. He said it was "nothing more than a coincidence" that the request was made in the same week that he outlined severe budget cuts.

A $2-an-hour meter rate could generate an additional $8 million a year in revenue, bringing the total for the next fiscal year to $31 million, according to Rina Cutler, Philadelphia's deputy mayor for transportation.

However, Nutter said that the rate increase is less about raising money than modifying driving behavior by encouraging faster turnover at meters.

"Parking on the street is incredibly cheap in Philadelphia," he said.

The mayor added that because parking fines also are low in Philadelphia, many motorists consider the cost of a ticket a better deal than parking in a garage.

Under the proposed plan, rates would increase from $1 an hour to $2 an hour in Center City and University City. In outlying neighborhoods, the rate would remain 50 cents an hour.

In Center City's core, new meters that could accept credit and debit cards would be installed.

...

Isn't the answer really adjusting parking rates IN garages for short-term parking so that people don't feel like a gun is at their backs when they pay those rates? The problem isn't so much one of rush-hour congestion. But this does attack those that will come into the City, and admittedly they have become fewer because there are easier and sometimes better options than taking Septa or driving into CC and looking for a reasonable parking solution. Mayor Nutter, look at the rates for short-term parking in garages, you'll have fewer people driving around looking for the cheap meters.

[Malloy]

I don't mind at all...and I drive into CC often. The apartment dwellers and workers should come up with a better solution and leave the meters for the people trying to come in and spend retail $. Philly street parking is too cheap. The parking tickets are too cheap as well. I paid $18 to park in a lot in Portsmouth NH a few weeks ago....talk about expensive!

[Hospitalitygirl]

I don't mind at all...and I drive into CC often. The apartment dwellers and workers should come up with a better solution and leave the meters for the people trying to come in and spend retail $. Philly street parking is too cheap. The parking tickets are too cheap as well. I paid $18 to park in a lot in Portsmouth NH a few weeks ago....talk about expensive!

Most employees who work straight hours tend to use Septa. Don't know about the apartment dwellers, frankly. When we lived in the NE and came into town for dinner out or shows, etc., we usually parked the car in a lot, since it was longer than most meters could take, anyway. Nighttime is a different story. When we walk out to Broad St. now, the parking lots see a lot of activity with those attending functions and shows and dinners. I don't think the problem is with the night activity. The article specifically says that this congestion is daytime, NOT EVEN rush hour congestion, caused by people circling because they're looking for meter parking. IF I take a car out during the day, which is really, really rare, I usually put it in the RTM lot because I know I can spend $10 in the RTM and get my ticket validated and spend $3 to park--it's a no-brainer to me. But, if you don't know the tricks or want to get closer to where you're going this won't work. I know people say "take Septa" but it ignores the fact that if you work a sales job, Septa is NOT the solution. I have done that in the past and wasted far too much time waiting for Septa in one direction or the other, or trying to time the trips, etc. So when you are in town, you look for metered parking since you will be less than two hours. If you put the car in a garage for that time--it's going to cost $15-20, NOT FEASIBLE. That's why I say, change the structure of short-term parking and you will have more people just throw the car in a lot for the short duration they'll need rather than drive and drive waiting for that spot to open up. What is so difficult about that?

[eldondre]

IF I take a car out during the day, which is really, really rare, I usually put it in the RTM lot because I know I can spend $10 in the RTM and get my ticket validated and spend $3 to park--it's a no-brainer to me.

I think the CCD should organize such an arrangement for all stores, vine to south, river to river that want to participate. if you spend, say, $20 you can get your ticket validated and receive 25% off the rate. (numbers don't have to be exact).

But, if you don't know the tricks or want to get closer to where you're going this won't work. I know people say "take Septa" but it ignores the fact that if you work a sales job, Septa is NOT the solution. I have done that in the past and wasted far too much time waiting for Septa in one direction or the other, or trying to time the trips, etc.

If you're in sales, I'd imagine higher meter rates would be a good thing since, theoretically, it should mean spots are more readily available.
to change short term rates, the PPA could elimiante long term parking all together and make it up in volume with short term parking.

SEPTA should play some part of the solution though but to really do that, they need to improve frequency and the city needs to work on its infrastructure.

[Hospitalitygirl]

I think the CCD should organize such an arrangement for all stores, vine to south, river to river that want to participate. if you spend, say, $20 you can get your ticket validated and receive 25% off the rate. (numbers don't have to be exact).

If you're in sales, I'd imagine higher meter rates would be a good thing since, theoretically, it should mean spots are more readily available.
to change short term rates, the PPA could elimiante long term parking all together and make it up in volume with short term parking.

SEPTA should play some part of the solution though but to really do that, they need to improve frequency and the city needs to work on its infrastructure.

You can't TAX behavior to control, as raider mentioned elsewhere, because people will do what they want to suit themselves. An arrangement with CCD is one option, but it really isn't optimal. In this case, the City needs to look at what Portland did to affect short-term rates, and see if there are some best practices that can be implemented here. At the very least, the City should exert influence over the PPA lots to increase the daily rate and decrease the hourly rate. By having a more competitive hourly rate with meters, you will alleviate the circling for spaces on the street. Else, if the gross disparity remains, not only will some business go elsewhere (to where the options are far easier), but the circling remains. The means to address the problems are wrongheaded, IMHO, and partly due to the influence of parking magnates who contribute heavily to campaigns.

[Hospitalitygirl]

It's time to shift parking rates | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/01/2008

[eldondre]

An arrangement with CCD is one option, but it really isn't optimal.

maybe not optimal, but a huge step in the right directiona dn may actually help strenghten the retail market. the CCD is merely a conduit to get this done. It's not dissimilar to the restaurant week.

In this case, the City needs to look at what Portland did to affect short-term rates, and see if there are some best practices that can be implemented here. At the very least, the City should exert influence over the PPA lots to increase the daily rate and decrease the hourly rate. By having a more competitive hourly rate with meters, you will alleviate the circling for spaces on the street. Else, if the gross disparity remains, not only will some business go elsewhere (to where the options are far easier), but the circling remains. The means to address the problems are wrongheaded, IMHO, and partly due to the influence of parking magnates who contribute heavily to campaigns.

raising hourly rates on meters isn't wrong headed at all. It's just not a whole solution, though I'm still not convinced it's a major problem. Congestion really isn't that bad, even at rush hour. and half the problem is the highways are crammed full, but those people are as likely to be driving through as driving to. I also think part of the solution is a move towards land value taxation to stop rewarding subopitmal land uses such as surface lots in the heart of center city. This woudl make it less profitable to operate them forcing them to either be developed into multilevel garages or some other development.

[Hospitalitygirl]

maybe not optimal, but a huge step in the right directiona dn may actually help strenghten the retail market. the CCD is merely a conduit to get this done. It's not dissimilar to the restaurant week.


raising hourly rates on meters isn't wrong headed at all. It's just not a whole solution, though I'm still not convinced it's a major problem. Congestion really isn't that bad, even at rush hour. and half the problem is the highways are crammed full, but those people are as likely to be driving through as driving to. I also think part of the solution is a move towards land value taxation to stop rewarding subopitmal land uses such as surface lots in the heart of center city. This woudl make it less profitable to operate them forcing them to either be developed into multilevel garages or some other development.

Congestion REALLY isn't that bad, and more congestion would be welcome, frankly--it would be an indicator that things are going well as opposed to poorly. I did mention upthread that congestion at rush hour wasn't the problem, it was merely the circling looking for cheaper mid-day meters vs. far more expensive hourly rates at parking lots. Merely raising the rates at meters isn't going to solve this problem of circling. Now, as to your point about land value taxation and the use of surface lots vs. multi-level garages--look around, most of the surface lots are going the way of the do-do bird, except somehow that one at the corner of 13th & Market! There are more multi-level garages, which is fine, even if they are still too expensive by the hour vs. meters--but many of the surface lots have given way to...Buildings! Who woulda thunk it!

[Hospitalitygirl]

Parking down at Phila. lots, garages | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/13/2008

So according to Zuritsky, the parking magnate, since the tax increase during the summer, revenues and taxes collected are down quite a bit, and the City really can't afford that at this point. Will the mid-day circling only get worse looking for the cheaper parking, or will people finally stop coming to town unless they really, really must?

[eldondre]

Congestion REALLY isn't that bad, and more congestion would be welcome, frankly--it would be an indicator that things are going well as opposed to poorly. I did mention upthread that congestion at rush hour wasn't the problem, it was merely the circling looking for cheaper mid-day meters vs. far more expensive hourly rates at parking lots. Merely raising the rates at meters isn't going to solve this problem of circling. Now, as to your point about land value taxation and the use of surface lots vs. multi-level garages--look around, most of the surface lots are going the way of the do-do bird, except somehow that one at the corner of 13th & Market! There are more multi-level garages, which is fine, even if they are still too expensive by the hour vs. meters--but many of the surface lots have given way to...Buildings! Who woulda thunk it!

surface lots going the way of the dodo? one of the biggest re booms in history just passed and there's still lots all over the place. you haven't made an argument against land value, which woudl just speed up the process of eliminating lots.

[Hospitalitygirl]

surface lots going the way of the dodo? one of the biggest re booms in history just passed and there's still lots all over the place. you haven't made an argument against land value, which woudl just speed up the process of eliminating lots.

There were a number of them on Arch Street, east of Broad and they're mostly gone now. There is an admitted problem with the lot at 8th & Market that will take more brokering than anyone has seen this or any other administration have the political will to muster. There was a large surface lot at 18th & Arch that has gone to make way for...The Cira Center (not sure if that's the big building there now or not). 15 years ago, lots of buildings did come down--many of them were owned by slumlord Rapoport. I don't see anywhere near the number of surface lots that existed even 5 years ago. They have been replaced by new buildings and parking garages (the 500 space garage at Jefferson, 9th-10th Chestnut-Sansom, even if they took many liberties with that one!)

I think some of the problem with lots still in existence has even more to do with the process of going through the Zoning Board and other processes--fighting the damned community groups which have entirely too much say in projects, etc., than solely a land valuation issue. Look around...how many projects could have gone on but faced steep opposition thanks to these groups and therefore became slowed then stopped?

[eldondre]

So the economy is still faltering, the city and state can't get their budges together, money is tight all over. But here comes a bit of good news from...wait, what?...the Philadelphia Parking Authority? Those ogres who televise their constant stalking of city streets, their search for cars to ticket and tow?

Read on:

Planned July 1st Center City Meter
Rate Increase Will Not Take Effect
Meter parking rates in some Center City districts will be reduced.

Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Vince Fenerty today announced that a planned increase in parking meter rates scheduled to take effect today, July 1st, will not be implemented at this time.

According to Fenerty, “rates that were scheduled to increase to $3 dollars per hour in the core of Center City Philadelphia (4th to 20th, Arch to Locust Streets) will remain at $2 per hour.”

"The most recent parking surveys confirmed that the rate adjustments implemented in January have achieved the goal of creating more parking opportunities. As a result, we do not believe it is necessary to implement the second phase of the approved rate adjustment at this time."

"Similarly, the parking vacancies in the fringe area of Center City (Spring Garden to Bainbridge Streets, between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, except those blocks in the core), are now higher than we anticipated. In order to achieve the proper balance we will lower the hourly rate in the areas of lowest demand to $1.50 per hour."

"Affordable, convenient parking is fundamental to the economic vitality of Center City. We will continue to monitor the available parking to be sure we are setting rates that encourage people to come to Center City while insuring sufficient available parking to make that trip convenient. Rate adjustments will be made as needed to maintain that balance,” Fenerty said.

The PPA will also begin installing new multi-space meter kiosks beginning today. In addition to accepting coins and smart cards, they will also accept dollar bills, credit cards.

Fenerty said, "each of these steps are being taken to make it easier to take advantage of the many attractions in Center City. Other steps that are part of an improved access and mobility plan will be announced in the next few weeks."

Parking Authority Says Meter Rate Increase Not Needed | Philadelphia Daily News | 07/01/2009

[Brooke]

These kiosks DO NOT accept smart cards. I have yet to find one that takes them. They say they're not recognized. Furthermore, very few of them accept dollars. They keep spitting them out. These machines SUCK unless you swipe a credit card and then you have to wait for your bank to approve the purchase which takes much longer than it does in the store.

I'm happy rates won't go up again. And maybe maintenance on the machines will help. Too much too soon has been my mantra on these changes. Implemented before the PPA was set up to deal with the changes. Lots of frustrated drivers.

On the upside, metered spots ARE easier to find. On the downside, you'd basically have to sacrifice your first born to get a non-metered spot these days.

[CapnMarko]

I've only ever used the parking kiosks near the Headhouse for the Farmer's Market and haven't had any problems so far with them taking ones. I think I stopped using the smart cards after they gave out free ones forever ago and I don't think I could find a way to 'recharge' it so I can't comment on the machines taking those or not.

Not raising rates to $3 and hour and lowering them to $1.50 outside the core seems like something to be semi-happy about. Yay!

[Brooke]

Smart cards don't recharge. You have to buy more. For most meters since the rate increase, that's been the way to go. Hopefully they'll eliminate the wasteful system soon with these kiosks. The kiosks actually have to work though.

I just stood with one yesterday at 3rd and Market...took 3 minutes to take my dollar...and then not give me anything for it. I admit I kicked the machine after that. So then I was forced to put in my bank card...if it takes it as a cash advance, you will see me picketing at PPA soon.

[desolate]

Smart cards don't recharge. You have to buy more. For most meters since the rate increase, that's been the way to go. Hopefully they'll eliminate the wasteful system soon with these kiosks. The kiosks actually have to work though.

I just stood with one yesterday at 3rd and Market...took 3 minutes to take my dollar...and then not give me anything for it. I admit I kicked the machine after that. So then I was forced to put in my bank card...if it takes it as a cash advance, you will see me picketing at PPA soon.

THe kiosks are double dipping.

THink about it, th next person got your time.

Now the kiosks charge the next person more than they need over and over.


Old: Park pay money leave and th next person gets the remainder

New: Park, pay more to protect yourself, leave and next person starts with zero.


I'm on my third Kiosk ticket that I paid and thn the PPA didn't examine my dash close enough.

[desolate]

Parking Authority Says Meter Rate Increase Not Needed | Philadelphia Daily News | 07/01/2009

They were overcharging too much and their revenue was dropping.


You can only violate people so much until they stay home.

[Hospitalitygirl]

They were overcharging too much and their revenue was dropping.


You can only violate people so much until they stay home.

Entirely too many open parking spaces on South Street.

[eldondre]

Entirely too many open parking spaces on South Street.

which is why those rates are being lowered.
fox news reported that the PPA will begin aggressively ticketing double parked drivers BUT they will not have a delivery period on chestnut and walnut where NO cars can be parked between 6 and 10 am. there will be a one month phase in (grace period). that's how I understood it anyway, anyone have details? sounds reasonable.

[Hospitalitygirl]

which is why those rates are being lowered.
fox news reported that the PPA will begin aggressively ticketing double parked drivers BUT they will not have a delivery period on chestnut and walnut where NO cars can be parked between 6 and 10 am. there will be a one month phase in (grace period). that's how I understood it anyway, anyone have details? sounds reasonable.

Between 7th & 20th Sts on Chestnut and Walnut during those hours. After that, they must park in designated spots.

I tell you, I have never, ever seen so many empty spaces on South St., even on weekend nights. During the day, blocks are empty. It's just wrong.