Parking Meter Rate Hike Put On Hold
Rates To Be Reduced In Some Parts Of Center City
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Parking Authority will hold off on planned increases in rates for meters in Old City and University City.
In fact, the agency said it may reduce some rates in parts of Center City.
The dollar-an-hour increase -- planned between Fourth to 20th streets and Arch to Locust streets -- was supposed to take effect Wednesday.
"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," the authority's director, Executive Director Vince Fenerty, said in a news release.
The hourly rates in the areas of lowest demand will be lowered to $1.50 in the fringe area of Center City (which the PPA described as "Spring Garden to Bainbridge streets, between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, except those blocks in the core").
Installation will begin today on new multi-space meter kiosks that, in addition to accepting coins and smart cards, will also accept dollar bills and credit cards, the PPA said.
