EcoLocalizer

As of January 16, Philadelphia’s metered parking rates went up substantially-in some places, double-and drivers are not surprisingly peeved. Higher parking rates, along with higher fees for violations are intended to decrease downtown congestion and increase Philadelphia Parking Authority revenues.

In theory, the extra money will in turn be used to improve city schools and assuage the city’s financial woes, though many seem skeptical. The PPA has long been viewed publicly as a profligate city agency, corrupted by patronage and wasted resources; in fact, the agency doubled its staff and its revenue over the past five years and only once has their surplus revenue benefited other ailing initiatives. Moreover, while the agency does provide money for the city’s school district, the PPA is a state agency and most of the surplus money will likely head to Harrisburg.

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Regardless of where the dollars go, the plan has some merit. With parking more expensive, Deputy Mayor of Transportation Rina Cutler anticipates increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic, along with improved SEPTA ridership. The plan specifically hopes that by reducing the frequency of meter feeders, truly short term parkers will more quickly find a spot and limit the amount of “circling” in Center City. Similarly, double parking should decrease and that means clearer roadways for moving traffic and cyclists. Philly’s chaotic parking situation, one which calls to mind delivery trucks paused in traffic lanes, cars parked in turn lanes and careless drivers who pull unpredictably into legitimate spots, is long overdue for an initiative like this one. And ironically, something aimed at improving car traffic may improve conditions for public transit, pedestrians and cyclists even more greatly.

Even with the increase, street parking in Center City is still far below garage rates, which are roughly $7 per hour compared with the new $3 per hour meter rates. People still drive regularly throughout Philadelphia because it is far cheaper to do so than in most cities. Indeed, beyond Center City Proper, free street parking remains plentiful. It will be interesting to see how things fare once the exhaust has settled: the same Philadelphians impatient today just may find themselves enjoying a better city tomorrow.

Image Credit: Fourth Floor at Flickr under a Creative Commons License

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