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."
Thanks God. Street parking is already expensive enough.— chasing history
Comment removed.- 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.
- They got what they wanted...Less cars, less business..Great Job
- "Mission accomplished" - seems I heard that one before...
- 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.— FMT
- 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.— dreinterests
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.- 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.— Politburo
- Comment removed.
- 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.— hayward giablommi
- 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.— chemlady
- 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.— Flyers2001
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
Follow Chris on Twitter
David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics – which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
Follow Dave on Twitter.
Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
Follow Catherine on Twitter
Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
Follow Jan on Twitter
Share your tips
Catherine Luceyluceyc@phillynews.com
Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com
Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
- Attytood
- Philly Gossip
- Philebrity
- Philadelphia Will Do
- Its Our City
- Heard in the Hall
- The Daily Examiner
- Phawker
- Suburban Guerilla
- Young Philly Politics
- OurPhiladelphia
- PoliticsPa
- The City Room
- Politico
- Drudge Report
- The Huffington Post
- Wonkette
- Eschaton
- Daily Kos
- Choose Judges on Merit
- Blogorrhea
- February
- January
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- Budget
- Campaign News
- Casinos
- City Council
- City Hall
- DC
- Haikus
- Nutter
- Rendell
- Statehouse
- News | Sports | Business | What's Happening | Restaurants & Food | Entertainment | Living | Marketplace | Jobs
