September 2023 Fuel Surcharge
Beginning September 2023, the fuel surcharge for the month of September 2023 will be $1.20 per trip. This gas fuel surcharge notice has also been provided to the approved meter system provider(s) and is included in the information displayed on the Passenger Information Monitor (PIM) located in the passenger compartment of the taxicab.
Changes Coming to Contractor Parking Permit Program
Due to an ordinance change in the Philadelphia Traffic Code, multiple changes to our contractor parking permit program will take effect Monday, October 16th, 2023. Before these changes take effect, we highly encourage all contractor permit holders to review the below information. You may also contact our contractor parking permit department at 215-683-9745 should you have any questions or require assistance.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Beginning Monday, October 16th, 2023, virtual contractor parking permits can be purchased or renewed for $150. Additionally, effective Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, renewing or purchasing a contractor permit will cost $300.
After paying the fee, your virtual contractor parking permit will receive 900 hours of credit. Contractor permit holders can use these 900 hours at all parking kiosks throughout the city. Below is a description of how to use your credits at our parking kiosks. A brochure is also available to download for future reference.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
- Contractor permit holders must abide by all posted parking regulations.
- Contractors should select “I Have A Contractor’s Permit” when starting a parking session. DO NOT select a parking zone when starting a parking session.
- All transactions are valid at all kiosk locations throughout the city, and you may utilize as much time as needed in each transaction.
- If you need to add more time to your parking session, you can do so at any kiosk in the city.
- Your vehicle is subject to ticketing if it has no active parking session at a kiosk location, including locations with both kiosks and residential parking permit regulations.
- If you park at a location with only residential parking permit regulations, you are exempt from the time limits and do not need to use credits from your permit account.
- You cannot stop an active parking session – and unused time will not be refunded.
- Permit holders are encouraged to use discretion when selecting the amount of hours they want to utilize in each transaction.
- If you utilize all 900 hours on your permitted vehicle before the six-month renewal period (April 16th), you may purchase additional time for a discounted rate of $1 per hour.
- When you renew your contractor permit in the next six-month renewal period, your 900 credit hours will be replenished.
- Unused credit hours will not be carried over from a previous six-month period.
- The permit renewal dates will remain April 16th and October 16th of each calendar year.
- Effective Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, renewing or purchasing a contractor permit will cost $300.
- Contractors will be able to view their transaction history by accessing the following link.
Top 5 Reasons to Ride the PHLASH
Guest Post by Independence Visitor Center Corporation
In many ways, the Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop™ remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
The service has been around since 1994, and hit its all-time high for ridership last year. Yet, there are still plenty of visitors and locals who are not aware of all that the PHLASH has to offer.
Even if your ride was among the 314,000 the PHLASH made in 2016, you probably aren’t taking advantage of everything the service has to offer. Here is our list of the top reasons to ride the PHLASH:
Top 5 Reasons to Ride the PHLASH
- Excellent Customer Service: Did you know that the Independence Visitor Center Corporation began managing the PHLASH in 2012? That means we apply our same high standards of customer service and attention to visitor needs to the transit service.
- “Park & Ride” Discount Program: For anyone driving into Philadelphia, PHLASH’s “Park & Ride” program offers a discounted rate at the following Philadelphia Parking Authority facilities for those who present a PHLASH pass:
- Stop 2, AutoPark at 2nd & Sansom Streets, 125 S. 2nd Street: $11.00
- Stops 3 & 21, AutoPark at Independence Mall, 5th & Market Streets: $14.00
- Stop 4, Parkade on 8th Street, 801 Filbert Street: $11.00
- Stop 4, AutoPark at The Gallery, 10th & Filbert Streets: $11.00
- Stop 20, AutoPark at Jefferson, 10th & Ludlow Streets: $11.00
So leave the stress of city traffic to the professionals—park your car and ride PHLASH for the day!
NOTE: To receive the PHLASH parking discount, you must enter the above garages after 9 a.m. and exit by 7:00 p.m..
- Clean + Comfortable Vehicles: In 2014, the PHLASH service transitioned from using trolleys to state-of-the-art New Flyer MiDi buses, operated by Krapf’s Coaches. The buses are large, seating up to 32 passengers comfortably, with large windows for great city views. They are air conditioned, ADA compliant, made in the USA, and use the latest in clean diesel technology. The PHLASH vehicles provide such a pleasant riding experience that the PHLASH was even named one of “10 Places to Mooch Free Air Conditioning in Philadelphia” by Philadelphia Magazine!
- Exclusive Route: Like everything else about the PHLASH, its route is designed with the visitor in mind. The PHLASH travels from the Delaware River Waterfront to Fairmount Park, making 22 stops located near popular destinations and attractions, including: Penn’s Landing, the National Museum of Jewish American History, The Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum, the Perelman Building, Eastern State Penitentiary, The Franklin Institute, National Constitution Center, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market, the Shops at Liberty Place, the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, One Liberty Observation Deck, and the brand-new Museum of the American Revolution.
The PHLASH is the ONLY public transit route that travels along Philadelphia’s iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway, providing access to the city’s Museum District. - FREE Rides: At just $2 per ride or $5 for an all-day pass, the PHLASH is the most affordable way to travel around the city for everyone. But for many, the PHLASH is completely free! Among the groups who can always ride PHLASH for free: SEPTA Pass and Key card holders, seniors 65 and older; and children 4 and under.
If you haven’t yet experienced the benefits of riding the PHLASH, you’re in luck because daily service for the spring season is:
Weekend Service: From September 2023 through the end of December 2023.
Daily Service: Up to Monday, September 4th, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Fusco for the IVCC
July 2023 Fuel Surcharge
Regular Board Meeting: June 2023
The Authority’s Regular Board Meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2023, will be held in person at PPA Headquarters and virtually via Microsoft Teams webinar. You may register to attend the Board meeting virtually HERE.
Anyone wishing to make comment at the Regular Board Meeting via the Webinar must contact Kelly Quinn at kquinn@philapark.org. All such emails and requests must be received by Ms. Quinn on or before June 19, 2023, to be considered for the meeting.
Executive Director, Rich Lazer, Sits Down with KYW’s Bridging Philly to Discuss the PPA’s Quality of Life Initiatives
FROM LEFT: KYW’s Racquel Williams, PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer, and Philly 3.0’s Engagement Director John Geeting
Last week Bridging Philly invited the Philadelphia Parking Authority to discuss its multiple quality-of-life and public safety initiatives, including:
- Automate Speed Enforcement Cameras
- ‘Ghost Car’ Enforcement
- Abandoned Vehicle Enforcement
- Bike Lane Enforcement
- Neighborhood Truck Parking Enforcement