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Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Parking Authority Says Meter Rate Increase Not Needed

So the economy is still faltering, the city and state can't get their budgets 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."

Posted by Chris Brennan @ 8:39 AM  Permalink | 35 comments
Comments   
Posted 09:07 AM, 07/01/2009
chasing history
Thanks God. Street parking is already expensive enough.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:21 AM, 07/01/2009
STEVE5444
Fenerty is blowing hot air.more and more people are fed up and are NOT coming into center city. they got just what they wanted..Empty parking spaces and no cars....Great for business..Now what, you have lost customers that will never return.. GREAT JOB.
Posted 09:23 AM, 07/01/2009
STEVE5444
They got what they wanted...Less cars, less business..Great Job
Posted 09:30 AM, 07/01/2009
CrotchetyOldMan
"Mission accomplished" - seems I heard that one before...
Posted 09:34 AM, 07/01/2009
FMT
I'm glad you all stopped driving to my city. More people have been taking the train and seem quite happy, and my business has been booming. I don't know if the rest of you posters have been to Center City lately, but we're doing just fine without you and your whining.
Posted 10:02 AM, 07/01/2009
dreinterests
well, they also eat up all the money in salaries and fine peopel via mail that can't fight the tickets. ruthless is the correct word.
Posted 10:19 AM, 07/01/2009
joe smith
It was idiotic for Rina Cutler to announce she wanted to reduce congestion in Center City in the first place. It was misguided to raise parking rates + fines in the middle of the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression. Its unbelievable the misgovernization of Philadlephia civic leadership over the years. You dont rock the boat during a worldwide economic tidal wave.
Posted 10:35 AM, 07/01/2009
Politburo
It was correct to raise the rates in the first place. It was also correct to stop the additional planned increase based on empirical data.
Comment removed.
Posted 11:13 AM, 07/01/2009
hayward giablommi
This scenario reminds me of the $4 gas scenario last summer. Price of oil gets outrageously high, price comes down, public is still getting gouged at $2.75/gallon, but goes along, because hey, at least we're not paying $4/gallon. No different here. PPA knows the public will not be happy that the price of meters is doubling. So, why not announce that the meters will increase AGAIN from $2 to $3? Then, when the PPA decides not to do that, it looks like good public relations even though the public is still getting hosed. Textbook bait and switch, well done PPA.
Posted 11:45 AM, 07/01/2009
chemlady
Now if only they would stop prohibiting parking near the Reading Terminal Market every other weekend. I'm sure that's not helping the business of the market and I have complained to merchants about it and asked them to take the message to the city. Discourage people from coming into the city to spend money and watch the economy get worse.
Posted 12:10 PM, 07/01/2009
Flyers2001
Follow the rules and you want get ticketed. I agree the PPA looks ridiculous at times, but you people complaining about boots and tickets that you earned is even more ridiculous.
Comment removed.
Posted 03:12 PM, 07/01/2009
Digifant
PPA is the best run organization in the city. I don't like them, but they are effective and aggressive. Believe it or not, their present work mode is a product of the Street administration. They get the job done and raise serious dollars.
35 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
About Chris Brennan and Catherine Lucey
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002. Since then she has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. For the past two years, she covered the 2007 mayoral election. Now that the battle is over, she has moved down to the City Hall bureau where she will report on the Nutter administration.

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Catherine Lucey
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