PPA Staff – Page 34 – The Philadelphia Parking Authority

Oak Lane Library Community Expo: How’d It Go?

During the past few weeks, Philadelphia Parking Authority staff have been hosting informational community expos throughout Philadelphia’s many neighborhoods. On Monday, November 13th, approximately 30 resident’s attended our event at the Oak Lane Library — and between refunds being issued to getting assistance with parking permits, we’re flattered by the feedback we’ve recieved:

I attended the PPA meeting and it was very, very helpful. I extended service to an elderly woman who’s having a problem and Ms. O’Connor is going to help her and assist me in helping this elderly woman, without her help I don’t know if that would be possible. This meeting was very helpful and I would stress that everyone in the community please come out to their next meeting. Because it was very helpful and the information was very helpful and you can get assistance here. So please come to the next meeting and I will try to keep notice and make a note to everyone that I can in all the churches and communities. Thank you,

P. Hackney

I came to the Parking Authority workshop clinic and I found that with a review of my driving record and my parking history that not only did I not have any outstanding tickets but I was also issued a refund. I will expect it in approximately three weeks. So come on down and get your refund!

F. Williams

Our next Community Expo will be held Wednesday, November 15th at the Penrose Recreation Center from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Interested in attending? Here are the informational booths that will be available:

Residential Permit Parking
How to avoid a parking ticket
Red Light Cameras
How to enroll in a payment plan
People with Disabilities Signs
Your status with outstanding parking tickets
Abandoned Vehicles
Unclaimed Vehicle Auctions
Contractor’s Placards
PPA employment opportunities
Loading Zones, Passenger Loading Zones, and Valet Zones

Psst — by the way, free pretzels and refreshments will be available!

Posted on 14 Nov 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog, PPA At Work

PPA Hosting Community Expo at Central Library Monday, November 27

In the coming weeks, Philadelphia Parking Authority staff will be hosting a round of Community Expos for residents throughout the City. With light refreshments being served, our staff will be on hand to provide useful information on:

Residential Permit Parking
How to avoid a parking ticket
Red Light Cameras
How to enroll in a payment plan
People with Disabilities Signs
Your status with outstanding parking tickets
Abandoned Vehicles
Unclaimed Vehicle Auctions
Contractor’s Placards
PPA employment opportunities
Loading Zones, Passenger Loading Zones, and Valet Zones

Please see below for the Community Expo locations and times.

Mayfair Recreation Center 2900 Saint Vincent Street, 19149 Thursday, October 19, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM	South Philadelphia High School 2101 South Broad Street, 19148 Thursday, October 26, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Oasis Church with Councilwoman Cindy Bass 5248 North 5th Street, 19120 Thursday, November 2, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM	Oak Lane Library 6614 North 12th Street, 19126 Monday, November 13, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Penrose Recreation Center 1101 West Susquehanna Ave, 19122 Wednesday, November 15, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM	Central Library 1901 Vine Street, 19103 Monday, November 27, 2017 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Posted on 16 Oct 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

PPA Employees Contribute $6,458 to the Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund

Following the September 27th board meeting, employees of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) proudly presented a check for $6,458 to the Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund.

In presenting the check, Board Chairman, Joseph Ashdale stated, “The hardships being endured from hurricanes across the country, and most recently Puerto Rico, prompted our employees to raise these funds for ongoing relief efforts. With many PPA employees’ families living in the disaster stricken areas, we most certainly want to play our part as recovery efforts continue.”

Clarena Tolson, PPA Executive Director, continued, “It’s hard to fathom what many of these disaster stricken families are going through right now. Our employees felt it was imperative to contribute to the much needed relief efforts.”

In addition to donations being made through payroll deductions, PPA employees also made contributions at donation jars throughout PPA facilities. Funds collected will directly benefit all areas recently affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

For information on how to make a donation to the Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, click here.

Pictured above (from the left) Russell Wagner, Board Treasurer; Bernadette Williams, PPA Analyst; Executive Director, Clarena Tolson; Leslie Fletcher, American Red Cross; Karen W. Wrigley, Board Secretary; Sue Cornell, Senior Director of Administration; Board Chairman, Joseph Ashdale; William Raymond, Senior Director of Human Resources.

Photo Credit: The Philadelphia Public Record

Posted on 28 Sep 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog, PPA At Work

Residential Parking in Philadelphia: A Primer on Permits

Whether you’re a Philadelphia native or just visiting, there’s a good chance we have got parking permits for you.

But with multiple permits come multiple questions. To make the process smoother, we created a Frequently Asked Questions guide. Check them out below and feel free to reach out with any questions.

FAQ: Parking Permits

How do I get a parking permit for my car?

If your street or neighborhood has permit parking, you can request a residential parking permit for your vehicle. To be eligible for a residential parking permit, your vehicle must be registered and insured to the address for which you’re requesting a permit. Additionally, you must provide proof of residency. If you meet these requirements, you can apply for a parking permit through the mail or by visiting our Residential Parking Permit office at 35 N. 8th St.

Download a Residential Permit Application here: RPP Application

NOTE: Effective on February 26, 2018 the Registration Suspend, Residential Parking Permit, and Contractor Parking department’s permit office located at 35. N 8th Street will no longer accept cash payments. However, credit cards, debit cards, and postal money orders will be accepted.

The annual fee for a permit is assessed per household:

1st vehicle permit $35
2nd vehicle permit: $50
3rd vehicle permit: $75
4th and additional vehicle permits: $100 each

Example: If your household has two vehicles, the total cost will be $85 per year.

Note: Residential parking permits are only valid for the district number in which the permit is issued.

What are the hours of operation to the Residential Parking Permit office?

The hours of operation are as follows:

Monday: 8:30 AM – 4PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

I have tinted windows. How will your officers see my permit?

If you have tinted windows, let us know when you fill out your application. We will provide you with two orange reflector stickers. The first sticker should be placed on the outside rear window of the vehicle next to the parking permit sticker. The second sticker should be placed on your license plate.

I’ve been having a hard time finding parking near my house. How do I get permit parking on my street?

To get permit parking for your street, you first need to contact the Philadelphia Parking Authority and request a petition package. Once you obtain the petition package, you need to get signatures from at least 60% of the residents; including renters/owners of apartment complexes. Then, submit your completed petition to your local city councilperson and they will forward the petition to us with a letter of support.

So, I can just get everyone from my house to sign the parking petition, right?

You can only have ONE signature per household.

What is proof of residency?

Proof of residency is a driver’s license, utility bill or copy of a current lease.

Can renters sign a petition?

Yes, a resident can be a renter or owner of a property.

Additional Information About Parking Permits

I have visitors coming to town. Where can they park?

If you have a residential parking permit, there are two options for visitor parking: temporary parking passes and day passes. Day passes are good for up to a year after purchase.

Day passes:

Day passes consist a single booklet of five passes and cost $35
Residents can purchase a maximum of two booklets, but must wait 90 days before purchasing additional booklets
To use the pass, scratch off the month and date on which the pass will be used, and write the visitor’s license plate number in the box provided on the pass. Then, hang the pass on the rear-view mirror. You can download the day pass application here: Day Pass Application.
Proof of residence is required

Temporary parking passes:

They can be purchased per visitor vehicle for a maximum of 30 days (or two increments of 15 days)
After the 30 days have passed, that visitor vehicle has to wait 45 days before they can get another temporary pass
You must provide the license plate number of the visitor’s vehicle
Temporary parking passes cost $15 for 15 days. To purchase a temporary pass, visit our office at 35 North 8th Street.
Proof of residence is required

I have a Residential Parking Permit, but I’m currently driving a rental vehicle. What should I do?

Residential Parking Permits are valid to specific license plates. If you are driving a rental vehicle, you may utilize the Day Passes and Temporary Parking Passes mentioned above. Additional information on Day Passes and Temporary Parking Passes can also be found here.

I’m moving! What happens to my Parking Permit?

If you move to another parking zone in Philadelphia, you need to apply for a new parking permit. For example, if you move from Northern Liberties to Pennsport, your Northern Liberties parking permit will not be valid in Pennsport. Peel off your old RPP sticker, apply for a new one, and you’ll be parking easy in no time.

If you are moving within the same parking zone, you can keep the same permit. However, we highly recommend updating your permit account information at our permit office located at 35 North 8th Street. Additional questions can also be addressed by calling 215-683-9730.

I can’t get my parking permit off my windshield. What can I do?

All you need to do is spray some WD-40 and put your defroster on; the permit will peel right off.

I received a ticket even though I have a parking permit for my street. What happened?

Unfortunately, sometimes our parking enforcement officers can’t clearly see the parking permit. All you need to do is contact the Parking Violations Branch and let them know you have a valid RPP sticker, and they will put the ticket on a temporary suspension. Photocopy the parking permit receipt and mail it to the address provided below with your parking ticket.

Parking Violations Branch
PO Box 41819
Philadelphia, PA 19101-1819

Our customer service representatives will work with you from there. If you would like to contest a ticket, head here.

If you have any further questions please feel free to get in touch with us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

Posted on 20 Sep 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

What To Do If You Find A Broken Meter or Kiosk

Nothing lasts forever. Everything has a shelf life. Parking kiosks and meters have to be replaced or fixed every once in awhile, too.

Think about it: Based on the high volume of people using parking kiosks every day, these machines are susceptible to requiring repairs every now and then. So in the event that you do discover a broken meter or kiosk, we want you to let us know!

4 Ways to Let Us Know:

Tweet at us: @PhilaParking
Write to us on Facebook
Call us at 1-888-591-3636 or 215-222-9100 and press option # 1.
Email us at meterinfo@philapark.org

What Do I Do If I Get a Ticket At a Broken Meter?

1.) Contact our Parking Violations Branch

Call 1-888-591-3636 and a customer service representative will assist you.

2.) Mail Correspondence to:

Parking Violations Branch
P.O. Box 41818
Philadelphia, PA 19101

3.) Fill out and submit this online dispute form.

Note: be sure to include parking ticket number and the number displayed on the meter or kiosk

Once you follow these steps, the ticket is put on a temporary suspend, so no late fees are added. The meter information goes to the meter department at the PPA and a meter mechanic is sent to check out the meter.

If the meter is found to be defective, the ticket will be canceled through the PPA and no hearing is needed. You can also use all of the above ways to contact PPA about a broken meter even if you didn’t receive a ticket.

Posted on 14 Sep 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Where to Park for The Rock And Roll Half Marathon

Attention Runners: It’s go time! Get your sneaks on your feet and don’t look back. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon meets The Ben Franklin Parkway again and kicks off fall race season in Philadelphia.

The Lowdown:

On Sat., Sept. 16th at 7:30 a.m., the 5K will start off the two-day race event at Eakins Oval, while the half marathon begins on Sun., Sept. 17th at 7:30 a.m. on the Ben Franklin Parkway and N. 22nd Street.

As runners cross the finish line, they’ll be greeted with some live rock and roll and a complimentary beer at Eakins Oval.

Even though the races are different in size, they’ll both be treated to the same perks. (Psst… If you plan on competing in both races, you’ll earn an additional medal!)

For the complete rundown on this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon & 5K, check out the website here.

Onto Parking:

Since Rock ‘n’ Roll runners will be taking over the streets, you can expect road closures and a shortage of street parking. Luckily, our 19th and Callowhill lot and Gateway Parking Garage are within close walking distance and offer discounted weekend rates. Spots will likely fill up quick, so plan accordingly and check out the rates below.

19TH & CALLOWHILL STREET LOT

1901 Callowhill St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Rates:

Weekends – $11.00 (flat rate per day)

GATEWAY PARKING GARAGE

1540 Vine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Rates:

Weekends – $7.00 (flat rate per day)

Need further parking guidance? Link up with us on Facebook or Twitter and we can help get you squared away.

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PHILADELPHIA HALF MARATHON & 5K

Posted on 8 Sep 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Parking for Visitors

In recent years, Philly has become a national hub for hosting diverse events. Everybody remembers the Papal Visit in 2015, The Democratic National Convention in 2016 and The NFL Draft in 2017.

That’s excluding annual events like Wawa Welcome America’s Fourth of July festival, Jay Z’s Made in America music festival on the Parkway, and The Broad Street Run for the running enthusiast. What can we say? Philly knows how to host big events.

We want to make sure your trip into the city is as seamless as possible. That’s why we offer special parking just for visitors. Get the lowdown on how you can benefit.

Let’s Get To It:

Day passes:

Day passes consist of a single booklet of five parking passes for $35.
Residents can purchase a maximum of two booklets, and then wait 90 days before buying another.
Proof of residence is required.
To use the pass, scratch off the month and date on which the pass will be used, and write the visitor’s license plate number in the box provided on the pass. Then, hang the pass on the rearview mirror. You can download the day pass application here: Day Pass Application.

Temporary parking passes:

Temporary parking passes can be purchased per visitor vehicle for a maximum of 30 days (or two increments of 15 days).
After the 30 days have passed, that visitor vehicle has to wait 45 days before they can get another temporary pass.
Temporary parking passes cost $15 for 15 days. To purchase a temporary pass, visit our office at 35 N. Eighth Street.
Proof of residence is required.
Since temporary parking passes are assigned to license plates, you must provide the license plate number of the visitor’s vehicle.

Note: Day passes are valid for up to a year after purchase.

And that’s how it’s done. If you have any questions, you can call our customer service office at 215-683-9730. We can also field any questions on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Posted on 28 Aug 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Where To Park for the Made In America Music Festival

If you’ve got 99 problems, don’t let parking be one…

It’s that time again! Philly does Labor Day weekend right with Made in America. On Sept. 2nd and 3rd, the two-day festival hits The Ben Franklin Parkway with superstars like Jay Z, J.Cole, The Chainsmokers, Solange and many more. With big names like this, it’s hard to say no to this festival.

Here’s The Thing:

Getting around during the festival is going to be a little tough. Especially with Jay Z headlining (his new record went platinum in less than a week, after all.) Luckily, we have three parking locations in mind. The Gateway Garage,19th and Callowhill and the Family Courthouse Garage are within close walking distance to the festivities.

19TH & CALLOWHILL STREET LOT
1901 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Rates:

Weekends – $10.00 (flat rate per day)

GATEWAY PARKING GARAGE
1540 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Rates:

Evening rate – enter after 5 p.m., exit by 9 a.m. – $5.00

Weekend rate – enter after 5 p.m. Friday, exit by 9 a.m. Monday – $7.00

THE FAMILY COURTHOUSE GARAGE
1503-11 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Rates:

Evening rate – enter after 5 p.m., exit by 6 a.m. – $10.00

Weekend rate –flat rate per day, exit by 6 a.m. Monday – $11.00

Having a hassle with parking? Let us help! Reach out on Twitter and Facebook and we can get you squared away.

CREDIT: M. EDLOW FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA

Posted on 28 Aug 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

PPA’s Widely Popular “meterUP” Pay-by-Phone App to be Back In Action by Late Fall!

After a temporary suspension, the Philadelphia Parking Authority is pleased to announce the return of its hugely popular “meterUP” pay-by-phone parking service.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority board today approved a new vendor for the new mobile parking payment application – which will continue to be called “meterUP.” The new vendor is ParkMobile, LLC. ParkMobile has multiple years experience in this industry and is the vendor to many large cities throughout the United States, including New York City, Denver, Dallas, DC, and Miami.

Executive Director Clarena Tolson said, “After the success of the previous “meterUP” pilot program, the PPA is excited to offer this very popular paying option to the riding public again. The application was highly embraced when offered in the past, so we felt it was imperative that we offer this method of payment as soon as possible.”

The “meterUP” app will allow drivers to pay for parking with a smart phone and electronically add more time remotely. It began in November of 2015 and was temporarily suspended in April when the PPA’s former service provider unexpectedly closed shop due to financial problems, forcing the agency to temporarily suspend the app and issue an immediate RFP (Request for Proposals) for another service provider.

The new vendor has sixty days from the implementation of the contract to roll out the first three phases. The initial three roll-out phases include Center City Core and Fringe, University City and all three rail stations, including Fox Chase, Torresdale and Fern Rock. The PPA anticipates that the app will be available for use by mid to late fall of this year.

When first initiated, “meterUP” was hailed as another PPA technological innovation aimed at improving customer service and convenience for motorists parking in Philadelphia.

In announcing the selection of the new vendor, PPA Executive Director Clarena Tolson said, “We are very pleased “meterUP” will be back in business shortly and we apologize for any inconvenience the temporary suspension may have caused our customers. People can now get back to the convenience of electronically adding more time remotely for parking.”

Customers will be required to download the new “meterUP” application.

Posted on 23 Aug 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

Contesting a Ticket: You’ve Got Options

You Have Options:
From walking into an ice cream shop with 50+ flavors or getting a parking ticket you think you have been wrongfully issued, remember that you have options. It’s important to assess the situation and move forward with whatever your choice may be, whether that’s paying or contesting a ticket, or choosing between chocolate and strawberry.

You Have Rights:
Not only does the Philadelphia Parking Authority fully support everyone’s right to contest a ticket, we also want you to know your options for contesting them.

How to Contest A Ticket:
In some cases, contesting a ticket can be done directly through the Parking Violations Branch (PVB). If your claim involves…

A broken parking meter
Having a valid kiosk receipt
Or possessing a valid permit/disabled placard for the location you were parked
Sign discrepancy

…then your best bet would be addressing it with the PVB. Here’s how:

Contest the ticket through this web form.
Mail your information to the PVB:

Parking Violations Branch PO Box 41818
Philadelphia, PA 19101-1819

Call the PVB at 888-591-3636 if you have any questions.

All other situations where a ticket is being contested that weren’t mentioned above can be addressed with the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA). And yet again — you have options:

Submit your case by mail. To learn how to submit your case by mail, click here.
Submit your case online by clicking here.

Any questions about contesting your ticket? We’ll get you answers through Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

Posted on 8 Aug 2017
By PPA Staff
In Blog

AuthorPPA Staff

FAQ: Parking Permits

Additional Information About Parking Permits