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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

 

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PPA AutoPark Discounts

 

If there is one thing we know, there’s a place for everyone in Philadelphia.

Art lover? There’s the Philadelphia Museum of Art, First Fridays in Old City and the Barnes Foundation. Food Connoisseur? Everywhere. Literally everywhere. No joke. The Gayborhood, Northern Liberties, Fishtown… yada yada yada. And don’t forget about the history buffs. They have Society Hill, the National Constitution Center and so much more.

The list could go on and on and one thing is for sure—there’s always something to do. Philly balances modern times with a historical twist, so it’s hard not to brag.

Here’s What You Need to Know:

With every place you explore, there’s a place to park right around the corner, and with that comes discounts. A double whammy.

Luckily for you, we have frequent discounts right smack dab in the center of your next trip. Check out discounted parking rates below to start your next adventure in the city.

As always, stay connected with us through Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter) with any questions.

Independence AutoPark Discounts

Jefferson AutoPark Discounts

  •  PHLASH Discount Rate Validation
    • Enter after 9 AM & exit by 7 PM: $11.00
  • Early Bird Special
    • Enter by 8 AM & exit by 5 PM – $16.00
  • Evening Rate
    • Enter after 5 PM & exit by 3 AM: $12.00
  • Scooter Parking
    • Flat rate daily: $5.00

Olde City AutoPark Discounts

  • Ritz Theaters Validation
    • Enter after 12 PM on weekdays: $11.00
  • Early Bird Special
    • Enter between 5 AM and 8 AM, exit by 5 PM: $13.00
  •  PHLASH Discount Rate Validation
    • Enter after 9 AM & exit by 7 PM: $11.00
  • Scooter Parking
    • Flat rate daily: $5.00

The Autopark at The Fashion District

  •  Early Bird Special
    • Enter by 8 AM, exit by 5 PM: $16.00
  • Evening Rate — Enter After 5 PM
    • Maximum to 3 PM: $12.00
  • PHLASH Discount Rate Validation
    • Enter after 9 AM & exit by 7 PM: $11.00
  • Scooter Parking
    • Flat rate daily: $5.00
  • Fashion District
    • Up to 3 hours: $12.00

Family Courthouse Garage Discounts

  • Early Bird Special
    • Enter by 8 AM & exit by 5 PM: $21.00
  • Evening Rate
    • Enter after 5 PM & exit by 3 AM: $15.00
  • Weekend
    • Flat rate per day–exit by 6 AM: $18.00

Gateway Parking Garage

  • Early Bird Special
    • Enter by 9 AM & exit by 6 PM: $18.00
  • Evening Rate — Monday-Friday
    • Enter by 5 PM & exit by 9 AM: $12.00
  • Weekend
    • Flat rate per day: $12.00

Parkade on 8th Discounts

  • Early Bird Special
    • Enter by 8 AM & exit by 5 PM – $17.00
  • Evening Rate — Monday-Friday
    • Enter by 5 PM & exit by 9 AM: $12.00
  • PHLASH Discount Rate Validation
    • Enter after 9 AM & exit by 7 PM: $8.00
  • Evening Rate — Monday-Friday
    • Enter by 5 PM & exit by 3 AM: $12.00
  • Fashion District
    • Up to 3 hours: $12.00

Note:

All of the listed validations from participating businesses must obtain a discount chaser ticket from the appropriate business or center to reduce their parking fee.

All patrons using the PHLASH discount must take their PHLASH ticket to our parking management office.

 

 

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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:

  1. Tweet at us: @PhilaParking
  2. Write to us on Facebook
  3. Call us at 1-888-591-3636 or 215-222-9100 and press option # 1. 
  4. Email us at [email protected]

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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…

  1. A broken parking meter
  2. Having a valid kiosk receipt
  3. Or possessing a valid permit/disabled placard for the location you were parked
  4. 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).

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PPA Parking Cheat Sheet

Philadelphia is full of endless opportunities. If you’re an art lover, there’s a place for you. Foodie? There’s a plethora of options. Exercise junkie? The city is your treadmill.

Finding parking can be a hassle from time to time. Just like you, we like to know our options. Thankfully we’re here to help with the Official PPA Parking Cheat Sheet to cut corners and find discounted parking that works for your wallet.

Here You Have It:

Early Bird Specials:

Our 4 Morning Hacks spell out exactly how to achieve a successful morning to get to the places you need to be on time. But did you know we offer early bird specials at our seven Center City garages? If not, you’re going to want to check out our early bird specials here.   

AutoPark Validations:

Catching a show at the Arden Theatre or taking a tour of the National Constitution Center? Parking validations are available for those and many other venues in Center City! Just remember: You must present your parking validation ticket before leaving the AutoPark.

Old City Nightlife Special:

Sure, Old City is known for its art scene, but it also has an extensive nightlife. There’s really nothing like an evening in Old City, especially on the weekends. From dinner at The Continental and a movie at The Ritz East  or The Ritz at the Bourse, you won’t regret your time spent in Old City. You really won’t regret a scoop of ice cream from Franklin Fountain to top off the night.

That’s why every Friday and Saturday night after 5 p.m., you’ll want to take up our $8 flat-rate parking at our Independence AutoPark. So before you grab a meal and see a movie, claim your spot before they fill up! Check out more details here.

Free Parking Days:

The PPA offers free parking and does not enforce parking meters on select holidays. Additionally, time limits on residential blocks are not enforced on:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Martin Luther King Jr Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

Got questions? Get your answers by reaching out to us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter)!

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PPA Early Bird Parking Specials

Nobody loves waking up early in the morning. Hollywood makes waking up look effortless but, we all know movies do not entirely portray reality. Take La La Land for instance: If we could could wake up without bags under our eyes and hop out of bed with the energy Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone had, we all would.

You Get the Point:

On the silver screen, everything goes as planned, but in real life that’s not always the case. To make your life a little easier each morning, check out the PPA’s 4 Morning Hacks to ease your morning commute and get you to work on time:

#1: Keep Your Alarm Clock Across Your Room

  • Whether you have a classic alarm clock or use your phone, keep your alarm on the opposite side of the bedroom instead of at your bedside.This way, you have no option other than to get your feet on the ground.

#2: The Obvious: DON’T HIT SNOOZE!

  • We all have a love-hate relationship with the snooze button. With just a simple tap on the screen, we catch a few extra Z’s, but the downside is something we have all experienced: falling back into a deep slumber and being late.

#3: Give Yourself 15 Extra Minutes

  • Tell yourself you need to be somewhere 15 minutes earlier than you need to be. If you have to be at work by 8 a.m., plan to be there by 7:45 a.m. This way, when unforeseen circumstances like traffic or an elevator taking 12 light years to get upstairs cross your path, you have some leeway.

#4: Set The Stage

  • Don’t wait until the morning to gather your belongings. Instead, gather everything up the night before. From coffee, to your outfit, to putting your bags by the door, setting up beforehand is going to save you time and get you out of the door on time.

Now that you have our 4 Morning Hacks at your fingertips, it’s time to get the lowdown on your reward for being early. Discounted rates for early birds will not only get you to the places you need to be on time, but save you a few bucks in the grand scheme of things. Chances are if you take advantage of these morning hacks, you will be able to take advantage of our Early Bird parking rates.

Check out our Early Bird parking rates below. If you have any questions, let us know through Facebook or X (formerly Twitter)!

Parkade on 8th

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m, exit by 5 p.m. – $17.00

Autopark at the Fashion District

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m, exit by 5 p.m. – $16.00

Gateway Parking Garage

  • Enter by 9 a.m., exit by 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday) –  $18.00

The AutoPark at Jefferson

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m, exit by 5 p.m. – $16.00

8th & Chestnut Lot

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., exit by 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday) –  $16.00

AutoPark at Independence Mall

  • Enter between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., exit by 5 p.m. – $15.00

AutoPark at Olde City

  • Enter between 5 AM and 8 a.m., exit by 5 p.m. – $13.00

19th & Callowhill Street Lot

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., exit by 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday) –  $16.00

Family Courthouse Garage

  • Enter between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m, exit by 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday) – $21.00
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