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#UnblockBikeLanes with Anthony Kuczynski

photoJust under a year ago, we launched #UnblockBikeLanes on Twitter.  Since its inception, #UnblockBikeLanes has increased our ability to engage with Philadelphia’s cycling community while addressing problematic parking areas. The continued success of #UnblockBikeLanes is attributed to the relentless work ethic of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, who devised the plan, and Anthony Kuczynski, who helped launch it within the PPA.  

Anthony sat down to answer a few questions about how it’s been going…

Describe your initial thoughts when #UnblockBikeLanes was proposed by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

“I was a bit nervous about how it would be implemented.  But I thought the more it was tapped into, the more instrumental it could be in helping cyclists and the traffic flow in Philadelphia.” 

When it was being initiated, what steps did you and your staff take to ensure its success?

“Sarah from the Bicycle Coalition reached out to me asking for statistics for areas where we’re generally issuing bike lane tickets.  We ran reports from January 1st to March 24th of this year and broke them down into different areas where parking and traffic congestions were at a high rate.” 

What can cyclists in Philadelphia expect in the future from the PPA?

Cyclists can expect a responsive agency that is more than willing to address the legitimate concerns of citizens. We’ve also been floating around the idea of patrolling bike lanes on a bike.

Do you consider #UnblockBikeLanes to be a success?

“In the beginning, we had some hiccups just as there are whenever you’re  implementing something new.  But it opened the door for citizens to voice their concerns to us directly.  It’s good to communicate with citizens the best we can because in the end, I think everyone is going to win.  We get to see what citizens go through, and they see how we go about enforcing.”  

Describe how #UnblockBikeLanes has added to PPA’s customer service.

“It has added more responsiveness and lets the public know that we’re more than willing to help.” 

What have you learned through the implementation of #UnblockBikeLanes?

“The passion of the Bicycle Coalition. Everybody should be able to ride a bike through the city if they choose to do so.  From a commuter’s point of view, it makes me realize how we can all share the road.  Everyone is equal and they’re free to use the roads anyway they can.”

As Anthony said, everybody should be able to ride a bike through the city if they choose.  If you’re walking the streets of Philly and notice cars parked in bike lanes, reach out to us on Twitter with #UnblockBikeLanes.

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#TBT: 1961’s Park and Lock Garage

MediaStreamFor this week’s #TBT, we dug up a vintage picture from Philadelphia’s Department of Public Records. Since 1950, the Philadelphia Parking Authority has provided Philadelphians and tourists with convenient parking locations throughout the city. We are committed to continue providing that service as we move forward. New parking garages may be erected in the future, but we never shy away from a trip down memory lane.          

In 1961, the relatively new Philadelphia Parking Authority opened it’s “Park and Lock Garage” at 11th and Market Streets.  The dedication ceremony was attended by many notable figures in Philadelphia such as Councilman Paul D’Ortona, Parking Director, Mr. Thomas Coyle, Miss Philadelphia, Loretta Ann Rissell and other city officials. It’s been 53 years since the dedication ceremony and it’s safe to say many things have changed.  Though our “Park and Lock Garage” no longer exists, our modern parking garages allow Philadelphian’s and tourists to park worry-free while absorbing Philadelphia’s vibrant culture.  Check back with us in 53 more years.  Maybe #TBT will highlight our Independence AutoPark!

For more information on our parking locations, click here.

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Putting Pizazz in the PPA: PEO Marlene Bednarczyk

MarleneEight years ago, Marlene Bednarczyk left the Poconos for the City of Brotherly Love. Recently widowed, Marlene was in search of a job for this new chapter in her life. Marlene found the perfect job for her with The Philadelphia Parking Authority.

“At that time I thought what’s the PPA? And they told me…and I got a job there. I could kick myself for not knowing about this job years and years ago,” she says. After all, Marlene was never meant to work in an office behind a desk. Her enigmatic personality and charm belong out on the streets amongst the people.

 “You’re basically public relations when you’re out on the street,” explains Marlene. She brings her pizazz to the PPA and it’s obvious she loves her job just as much as Philadelphians love her. Everywhere she goes people recognize her, greeting her by her nickname “Hairspray.”

“It’s nice to have someone recognize you when you’re out there,” she says, “It feels like you’re not a stranger when you walk down the street.”

Laughing, she says, “I love it when the bus drivers stop driving in the middle of the street and yell ‘Hairspray, how ya doing’, it is such a good feeling because you feel like you’re part of the neighborhood.”

Marlene admits that the job has occupational hazards. However, she feels that it comes down to knowing the right way to handle a situation. She knows the red flags and simply walks away from all uncomfortable, unsafe situations.

“My late husband was a Philadelphia police officer for 27 years,” she explains, “He taught me a lot… He always said two wrongs don’t make a right. If a person starts screaming and you start screaming, you’re not gonna get anywhere.” She takes this Golden Rule mentality to heart, applying it to her job every single day.

Even as one of our most beloved and respected PEOs, Marlene isn’t totally immune to the backlash. The worst name Marlene has ever been called was “nazi.” A young boy on a skateboard yelled that at her just outside Zavino’s on 13th and Sansom. Fortunately, a man seated outside the restaurant reprimanded the kid.

The kindness shown by this gentleman is just one example of many. In fact, whenever someone gets her down, citizens in her patrol area always bring her spirit back up.

“The people of Philadelphia, sometimes they may not like us, but they do step up to the plate, especially in the summer,” explains Marlene. Usually local business owners will insist she come inside to cool off and drink some water.

Marlene mostly patrols in Midtown Village, working the evening shift. This is the ideal set up for her. She explains, “Night work is great to work. It’s quiet. There’s a different kind of clientele,” adding that police officers also find the night shift to be a more peaceful time.

Not only is Midtown Village Marlene’s favorite patrol area, it’s also where she likes to spend her free time. Although she’s a Northeast native, she proudly proclaims, “That’s my second neighborhood!”

She loves to go out and meet up with friends for a drink. “When I go out, I wanna go downtown. I love it!” she exclaims, “I love Woody’s. I have great friends in there. I just love everyone, because they know who I am.”

Marlene spends most of her free time traveling to be with family. “My son is in the army…he’s a lifer,” she explains, “He’s stationed at Fort Campbell [Tennessee] and has been deployed five times.” Her son has three daughters, who she lovingly refers to as “my beautiful divas.”

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Parking Enforcement Officer Spotlight: Carlton Jones

Philadelphians are all too familiar with getting a bad rap. We’ve been mislabeled everything negative from cold and hard to fat and lazy to ruthless sports fans—okay, so maybe that last one isn’t so bad. However, one group of Philadelphians is a bit more misunderstood than the rest of us.

 The PEOs of the PPA are cursed out, spit on and threatened on a daily basis. They have no choice but to take it. They know it comes with the job, but they also know what their job really means. There’s more to these ladies and gentlemen than a badge and a ticketing pad. Under the uniform are unique personalities, representing all walks of life from Philadelphia. They are Philadelphia’s first line of friendliness, willingly and humbly serving our city. It’s time we all get to know the real life of a PEO.

Carlton Jones stands at average height, very much in shape with salt and pepper hair and kind eyes. He has the passion of a Philadelphian and a people-person personality. He’s exactly the type of person you’d want representing our city.

Initially interested in a career in law enforcement, he knew from day one that he wanted to work for the city. Eventually, he came across a job at the PPA and never looked back.

“For me to last 26 years, I have to be really happy with the company,” explains Carlton, “I like walking, it keeps me in shape. I like being out in the public, so it’s perfect for me.”

When it comes to ticketing, Carlton is stationed all over the map. He’s served down on South Street before and loved it. Now, during the week he patrols along Spring Garden, a more quiet and peaceful area that makes his job easier. On Saturdays during overtime though, he usually works K&A, which provides a lot more excitement.

As a seasoned PEO, Carlton has seen the good and the bad throughout the city. One of his first experiences on duty, a man told him just what he’d do if he ever caught Carlton ticketing him again. The next time Carlton ticketed him, the man jumped through his car window and started choking him. Carlton tried to drive away but they ended up crashing.

Like the positive, warm-hearted person he is though, he laughs it off, exclaiming, “And that was when tickets were only $10!”

Carlton takes the negative experiences with a grain of salt because, he realizes the importance of parking management. “It would be lawless, like the wild west. There would be chaos without parking enforcement,” he says.

Chaos on Philly’s streets comes in all forms, and Carlton does his best to combat it. One of the first steps to combating parking problems is helping to make sure people understand. The biggest mistake he sees people make is feeding the wrong meter. When he sees this, he explains to the individual what they can do to avoid this situation next time. He acknowledges how complex Philadelphia’s signage and parking system is, and does his best to help people understand.

He’s found that a lot of people appreciate this. Just the other day a woman approached him to thank him, saying, “I really appreciate you guys … because, without the Parking Authority people would park their cars [wherever] and leave them there.”

Aside from combatting chaos where he finds it, Carlton steps up in other ways as a PEO. He works as an ambassador to Philadelphia, helping people get where they need to go. Giving directions can get tricky—even he can get lost in the city.

This leads him to believe that “… the best invention that they ever could’ve came out with was Google Maps.” Just like millions of others Philadelphians, he relies on technology to help him with his job.

Carlton has also acted as a security guard. People see the badge and ask him to stand with them while they use the ATM as a reassurance.

Outside of his job, Carlton loves hitting the gym right after his shift. He also enjoys spending time with his family in the Olney section of the city. On his days off, you’ll find him surfing the Internet for new things to read and learn. Carlton enjoys doing this because he is a firm believer that people should learn something new everyday. This kind of drive and dedication is what makes Carlton such a valuable asset to the PPA and to the City of Brotherly Love.

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Notice of Motor Carrier Medallion Transfer Application for Service in the City of Philadelphia

Permanent authority to render services as a common carrier in the City of Philadelphia has been filed with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Taxicab & Limousine Division (TLD) by the below named applicant at Docket A-14-02-03. The company has applied to transfer the rights held by Pars Transport, Inc. (CPC No. 1000057-01, Medallion P-0513) to transport persons in taxicab service between points within the City of Philadelphia and from points in the City of Philadelphia to points in Pennsylvania, and return.

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All is Not Lost: How to Contact Our Lost and Found

It’s just after 6:30 p.m. and it’s been a long day. The muggy Monday morning and dreary afternoon has given way to a full-blown torrential down pour. All you want is to get home, get dry and relax. You flag down the first cab you spot and climb in. Once you give the driver your address, you lean back to relax. Only now, all you can think about is what you still have to do before the day is done. After twenty minutes of stop-and-go rush hour traffic you’ve arrived. You hand the driver a $20 bill, grab your groceries and run into your building. Hours later it hits you. You left your wallet in the back seat of the cab. Everyone has those days.

If you find you’ve lost something in a cab and aren’t sure what to do next, start by checking with us!

You can reach us by:

1. Tweeting at us using @PhilaParking

2. Writing a post on our Facebook page

3. Calling us at 215-683-9440

4. Emailing us at [email protected]

Be sure to provide us with as much information as possible. The name of the cab company, the cab’s number (it will start with a P!), date, time, destination and details about your lost item(s) are all very important (even if you can only provide some of this information, you should still contact us). Once we receive your information we will pass it along to our Taxi and Limousine Division who are in charge of our taxi lost and found.

By taking advantage of our comprehensive lost and found, there’s a good chance your item can be returned to you. Please don’t assume all is lost until you’ve checked with us! We’ll be sure to do anything we can to help.

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