Thinking about making a switch to an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce your carbon footprint? Well if you live in Philly and decide to make the switch, you can apply to have an EV Charging Station (EVC) installed at the curbside. Oh yeah, here’s the kicker: you can get a parking spot in front of your pad, too!

Here’s what you have to do:

• Step 1: If you own an EV and want a charging station installed in front of your home, fill out and follow the directions on our Electric Vehicle Parking Space Application.
• Step 2: Once we review and approve your application, you must apply to the Department of Licenses & Inspections (L & I) for a curbside electrical outlet and follow the guidelines listed on the application.
• Step 3: With approval from L & I, we’ll head your way and install “No Parking – Electric Vehicle Only” signage.

Here’s some things to keep in mind before we install the signage:

• The proposed Electric Vehicle Parking Space (EVPS) must be no more than 20 feet in length, unless a greater length is necessary, based on the size of the vehicle.
• The proposed EVPS should not be in any location where parking is currently prohibited by state or local law.
• No garage, driveway or other location not in the right of way is available to the applicant for parking of the EV.
• The number of reserved, on-street parking spaces, of any kind, on a hundred block, does not exceed:
  • On blocks with single-sided parking: three  
  • On blocks shorter than 500 feet in length, with parking on both sides: four
  • On blocks that are 500 feet or longer, with parking on both sides: five
• We will not approve an EVPS where the applicant is liable for any delinquent fines or penalties (three or more parking and red-light camera violations).
• The Installation Fee must be paid upon approval by the L & I:   
  • Center City and University City area:
    • $500 per metered space removal or $250 per 20 feet of space
  • All other areas of the city:
    • $300 per metered space removal or $150 per 20 feet of space
• Yearly Renewal Fee:
  • Center City and University City area: $150 per year
  • All other areas of the city: $75 per year
  • If the yearly renewal fee is not paid in a timely manner, the EVPS and EVC can be removed.
• The person who applied for the EVPS should immediately notify us, and the EVPS may be removed, if any of the following events occur:
  • The registration or license plate is transferred to a Non-Electric Vehicle.
  • The EV is transferred to another owner who does not reside at the address for where EVPS was installed.
  • The owner of the EV stops residing at the address where the EVPS was installed.
• An EVPS can also be removed under the following circumstances:
  • Any condition necessary for the granting of the EVPS under the regulation ceases to be met.
  • The EVC or its associated wiring is not maintained in good repair or presents a hazard due to deterioration, malfunction or improper use.
  • Any excavation of the right of way for installation or maintenance of the EVC or associated wiring is not properly restored.
• An EVPS should not be treated as a personal parking spot. Anyone with an electric vehicle is allowed to park in the EVPS. Any abuse of the EVPS (i.e., cones, telling other EV operators they are forbidden to park in the EVPS, etc.) will result in the removal of the space.

And there you have it! But if you have any questions, we can get your answers on Twitter and Facebook. You can also call our Planning & Analysis Department at 215-683-9739 for more details.

Notice To All Interested Parties:

English Proficiency Testing will be cancelled on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. All English Proficiency testing will resume as normal on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

Queue up Eye of the Tiger and prep your running shoes: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon is making another return to the Parkway this week.

There’s no doubt the Parkway has seen its fair share of activity this past year. Think about it: we had the Welcome America Festival on the 4th of July, the Made in America Music Festival in early September and oh yeah — the Papal Mass which drew hundreds of thousands of pilgrims during Pope Francis’ visit to Philly.

You get the jist. The Parkway is a hotbed for many events and the Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ Marathon will add to that bright and early at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 31.

Runners and energized spectators will huddle at Eakins Oval before the 13 mile trek up Kelly Drive and down Martin Luther King Drive. Don’t be surprised if you see a Spiderman or skeleton in the herd of runners because, well, it’s Halloween. Hopefully Superman isn’t competing. Apparently that guy is faster than the speed of light — and that’d just be flat out cheating.

Let’s sprint to the finish line: The marathon will end where it began, the Eakins Oval. After chugging a well deserved drink of water, runners and spectators will be treated (not tricked)  to a free concert headlined by a ‘90s favorite, the Gin Blossoms. (Psst — runners will also be given a complimentary beer at the Oval. hint hint.)

Here’s the thing: With multiple road closures and thousands of people flocking to the Parkway, parking might be tight. Luckily our 19th and Callowhill lot is a stone’s throw away with $10 flat-rate parking. Spots will probably fill up quick, so if you can’t snag a spot at our 19th and Callowhill lot, feel free to use our parking locator!

Any questions? Get answers on Facebook and Twitter. Oh yeah, and happy Halloween!

Executive Order No. 15-0010

Have you ever used one of our meters or kiosks? Did you ever wish you could be alerted when your time is almost up? Welp, if you answered “yes” to both of those questions, we’ve got some good news for you: there’s an app for that — and it’s free.

Not too long ago, Amit Rao, a newcomer to the Philly tech scene, developed ParkSnap, a simple yet very useful app that alerts you when your parking session is about to expire.

Here’s the deal:

Right now ParkSnap is only available for iPhones, but Rao expects it to be available on Androids in the near future.

After downloading ParkSnap from Apple’s iTunes store, just tap the icon as you would any other app and ParkSnap will show up on your screen.

Now here’s the cool part: If you park at a kiosk, just snap a picture of your receipt with ParkSnap’s built-in camera. Its OCR engine will take note of your expiration time and remind you when time is almost up. You can also manually enter your expiration time while parking at a meter that doesn’t print receipts.

It gets cooler. ParkSnap also takes note of where you parked, allowing it to give you directions back to your car in the off chance you forget where you parked.  

Enter Billy Mays: But wait, there’s more!

ParkSnap can also remind you when your time is about to expire based on the walking distance back to your car. To top that off — ParkSnap allows you to email/SMS the picture of your parking receipt to yourself. This’ll come in handy if your receipt is lost, misplaced or better yet, if you’re ticketed even though you paid. The picture can serve as proof of payment. All you’d need to do is snap a picture of your ticket and send both pictures to us, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, through Facebook, Twitter or to our Parking Violations Branch. If your ticket was issued even though you still had time left, our customer service team can cancel it. More information on contesting tickets you feel were wrongfully issued can be found here.

Now back to ParkSnap. As a consumer, it’s always good to have options and ParkSnap is a great way for those who park at our meters and kiosks to be alerted when their parking time is up. In fact, according to its website, ParkSnap was “crafted with love in Philadelphia.”

For more deets on ParkSnap, check out the FAQ page and Apple’s iTunes store.

Also — Rao is always willing to collaborate with fellow tech enthusiasts in Philly. Give him a follow on Twitter or get LinkedIn with him. You can also check out Rao’s other projects through his company, Pixie Bytes.

For this month’s Throwback Thursday, we’re heading back to 1992 and taking another look at the grand opening of our AutoPark in Center City.

Nowadays if you head down to 1503 Arch St., you’ll notice our brand new Family Courthouse parking garage. But in 1992 at the same location, we opened the gates to our brand spankin’ new AutoPark in Center City.

For nearly 18 years, the AutoPark was constantly packed with vehicles, most of them from city workers. In fact, before 1503 Arch St. was a parking lot, it also housed Acme’s local headquarters.

Twenty-three years have passed since the grand opening — and a lot has changed. Think of it this way: In 1992, Rich Kotite was the Eagles head coach and owned by Norman Braman. Sadly, one thing still hasn’t changed: the Eagles still haven’t won a Super Bowl. But the complete transformation of 1503 Arch over the years reminds us of  Chip Kelly’s transformation of the Eagles!

Welp — now we’re in 2015 with a new parking garage and revamped Eagles squad. Who knows? Maybe 23 years from now, 1503 Arch St. will house flying cars and the Eagles will have a Super Bowl win under their belt.

Go get em’, Eagles!

This RFP is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting proposals for the procurement of Kiosk Replacement Batteries.  Prospective Proposers will need to register by emailing Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, at mwheeler@philapark.org prior to downloading the attached documents in order to participate in this solicitation.  Detailed information on how to proceed is contained in the attached Notice to Proposers.

RFP No. 15-22

RFP No. 15-22 Notice to Proposers

Rights Applications Completed – October 2015

From retail aisles to fast food parking lots, people are still finding interesting ways to park — and they’re not pretty. If our past versions of parking fails show us anything, it’s that despite going through driving school and getting a license, drivers still forget how to properly park.

Okay, maybe we’re being a bit harsh, but these gems are still worth breaking down.

Parking Fail #1

Clean up in aisle seven!

This guy took the term “drive through” literally. It doesn’t look like anyone got hurt, but if they did, at least they wound up in the first aid aisle.

As for the damage to the rear bumper: Car parts are probably a few aisles over.

Alright, so maybe this guy didn’t really mean to park there. Either way, let this be a reminder that gas is on the right and break is on left.

   Parking Fail #2

Okay, we know KFC is finger lickin good, but really?

KFC, if you’re reading, this is some good advertising material. Your food is so darn good your customers forget how to park.

Seriously though: Were these guys so fixated on getting their four piece chicken leg meal that common sense went out the window? Either way, this is probably the most expensive fast food outing they’ve ever had — if you include the tow fee.

Parking Fail #3

Need another reason not to park in front of a fire hydrant? See Exhibit A to the left.

Not only could you get a ticket, you could lose two car windows in the process. Sure, the firefighters could have waited for a tow truck, but they ain’t got time for dat, especially with a blazing fire across the street.

Kudos to the firefighters for doing what they had to do, but you can’t help but wonder what the driver thought when returning to their car.

Did you spot a parking fail? Send it our way on Twitter or Facebook! Better yet: If you see an illegally parked car in an area that we patrol, call our communications line at 215-683-9775 and we’ll send someone to check it out.

PPA administrative offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Offices will reopen Thursday, November 12.

Please note: Parking Enforcement Officers will be enforcing all safety violations and time limit regulations during Veterans Day.

Philadelphia has been considered an art mecca for quite some time — and it’s easy to see why.

Think about it: we have the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the world renowned Barnes Foundation and of course the countless murals on buildings throughout city blocks. In fact, on the first Friday of every month, local artists can showcase their masterpieces as Old City’s sidewalks transform into pop-up art galleries. By the way, we also complement the experience by offering free meter parking on select streets in Old City during First Fridays.

You get the point: It’s hard to escape Philly’s vibrant art scene — and it’s about to get a little harder.

From November 12 through 15, the Pennsylvania Convention Center will be hosting the 39th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show. Here’s the thing though: This isn’t your run-of-the-mill craft show by any means. In fact, with over 1,000 applicants, only 195 artists were chosen to showcase their works of art.

To make things even better, all works of art will be available for sale! If you’d like a preview of what you’ll be browsing, take a peek here. Also, tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

Psst! If you print out this coupon, you’ll get $1 off your ticket at the door.

Now before browsing for a new piece to tie your dining room together, make sure you’re browsing your convenient parking options first. Don’t worry — we have you covered through and through.

Luckily we have two garages within close walking distance to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Check out the locations and rates below, or if you’d like, use our parking locator to find a spot that’s best for you.

AutoPark at Gallery Mall

Rates:
Up to 1 hour – $4.00
Up to 2 hours – $7.00
Up to 3 hours – $10.50
Up to 12 hours – $19.50
Up to 24 hours – $20.50

Early Bird Special:
Enter by 10AM, exit by 6PM – $12.00

Evening Rates:
After 4PM: Up to 1 hour – $4.00
After 4PM: Up to 2 hours – $7.00
After 4PM: Up to 12 Midnight – $8.00

AutoPark at 8th & Filbert:

Rates:
Up to 1/2 hour - $3.00
Up to 1 hour – $7.00
Up to 1 1/2 hours – $10.50
Up to 2 hours – $13.50
Up to 12 hours – $16.50
Up to 24 hours - $20.50

Evening Rate:
Enter after 5PM, exit by 3AM (Mon. – Fri.) – $8.00

Early Bird Rate:
Enter between 5AM and 10AM, exit by 7PM – $11.50

Any questions? Get your answers on Twitter or Facebook!

Yo film fans and critics — did you hear? The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival is in full swing!

For the past 35 years, the festival has brought the best independent Jewish cinema from around the world to Philly audiences. In fact, the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival is the oldest film festival in Philly — and the second oldest of its kind in the country!

With a smorgasbord of 24 films from nine different countries, the festival satisfies even the most fastidious of movie goers. We’re talking everything from sci-fi thrillers to documentaries and, of course, thought provoking discussions with the filmmakers themselves. For a complete rundown on what to expect, check out this year’s lineup.

Now let’s get you parked before loading up on popcorn: If you plan on attending, we have some good news for ya. Since we’re a proud Community Partner for the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival, we’re offering discounted parking at our AutoPark in Old City!

On November 12 and 19, we’ll be offering $5 flat rate parking for those attending screenings of The Love Of Otto Weidt and Natasha at the Ritz Theater. All you have to do is tell the folks at the Ritz Theater that you parked at our garage — and they’ll hook you up with a sweet parking discount ticket! Keep in mind though: The $5 flat rate will only be valid from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Any questions? Let’s hear them on Twitter or Facebook. And remember: silence those cellphones!

It appears Philly is having a marathon of marathons as of late. Just last month we had the Rock ‘N’ Roll ½ Marathon, and now we have to queue up Eye of the Tiger yet again as the 22nd Annual Philadelphia Marathon comes rumbling through.

On Sunday, November 22 at 7:00 a.m., close to 30,000 runners will gather on the Parkway for a 26.2 mile trek winding through Philly’s historic attractions in Old City before sprinting down the always scenic Fairmount Park Water Works on the Schuylkill River.

We know – 26 miles is a lot of running for one day. But with hydration stands set up and thousands of spectators cheering on the stampede from start to finish, it’ll probably be a cake walk for the avid runner. So if you’re running or spectating make sure you check out the course map.

Now here’s the thing: With thousands of runners, spectators and multiple road closures, parking will definitely be tight. Luckily if you plan on driving to the marathon, we have two locations with cheap parking rates close to the starting/finish lines. Check them out below and, as always, feel free to use our parking locator for a spot that best suits you. Also—security is going to be pretty tight, so make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to arrive into the city!   

19th & Callowhill Lot
Weekend Flat Rate: $10.00 per day

Gateway Parking Garage
Early Bird Special: Enter by 9 a.m., exit by 6 p.m. – $14.00

PHOTO CREDIT: M. KENNEDY
FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA™

Okay, Philly. We know you’ve been waiting a long time for this, and now we’re happy to say (drum roll please)…

Mobile parking payment has arrived in Philadelphia.

(yayyyyy!)

Let’s jump right into it: As of November 19, our mobile parking app, meterUP, will go live, allowing visitors and residents to conveniently pay for parking from the palm of their hands.

For the first six months, meterUP will be available in select parts of Philly before being rolled out city-wide. A map highlighting where meterUP will be available can be found here.

Now let’s get into the full details: meterUP not only offers the convenience of paying for parking from any phone, it also offers many other features such as being alerted when your parking session is about to expire! For the complete run-down on meterUP’s features and what to expect, check out the FAQs below.

Psst — by the way, if you’re one of the first 5,000 users to sign up for meterUP, your first parking session will be free for up to one hour!

Question: What is meterUP?

Answer: meterUP is the easiest way to pay for parking in Philadelphia. No more feeding the meter. No change? No problem! Just meterUP!

Question: How do I get meterUP?

Answer: There are three ways to use meterUP to pay for parking in Philadelphia:

1.  Go to your smartphone’s app store, download and install the meterUP application.
2.  Call toll-free 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and follow the prompts for personal assistance.
3.  Access our Sign-Up webpage on meterUP.xyz.

Question: How does the meterUP app work?

Answer: Click here to see a quick video! Once you’ve signed up with meterUP, you can start using your mobile phone to pay for parking wherever you see the meterUP signs.   

1.  Simply open the app and enter your parking zone number, which is located on meterUP signs and our kiosks.
2.  Click the orange “P” button to select your desired amount of time to park.
3.  Click “Confirm” then “Start Parking” and you’re good to go!

Question: Can I use meterUP if my phone isn’t “smart”?

Answer: Yes! You can call 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and follow the prompts to pay for parking via text message.

Question: What if I don’t have a cell phone?

Answer: There are still ways to use this system even if you don’t have a cell phone.  You can call 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and follow the prompts to pay for parking, or you can visit meterUP.xyz.

Question: What kind of cell phones work with the meterUP app?

Answer: The app is currently available for iOS and Android smartphones. You can also pay for parking via text using a flip phone.

Question: Do I need a credit card?

Answer: The meterUP app and many of its features are free of charge, but, to pay for parking you’ll need a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card. Debit cards with any of those logos are accepted as well.

Question: How long can I park?

Answer: Parking time limits vary from location to location.

To ensure you don’t go past the designated time limit, be sure to carefully read the signs where you’re parked.

Question: Will I know when my parking session is about to end?

Answer: Yes! One of the great features of meterUP is a free notification seven minutes prior to the end of your parking session.

Question: How does a Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) know I paid through meterUP?

Answer: When you pay with meterUP, we’ll ask you for your license plate. When the PEO enters your license plate number into their ticketing device, they’ll receive a notification that your vehicle is in a paid parking session.

Question: How do I review/edit my meterUP account?

Answer: You have several options to review/edit your account:

App: Open the meterUP app and go to the “Account” tab. Here you can change, add or remove vehicles or drivers and update your payment method.

Any mobile phone: Dial toll-free 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and follow the prompts for personal assistance.

Web: Simply sign-in to your personal account using the phone number you entered during the account setup process.

Question: How do I extend my parking session?

Answer: Once you receive a reminder that your parking session will expire, you can extend your time, up to the maximum posted time limit. Simply click the extend button (it looks like a timer) in the app, or call 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) after you have started a parking session.

Question: I often park for a period that runs into the time when parking is free. Is meterUP smart enough to adjust for this?

Answer: Yes! If you park for a period that runs into the time when parking is free (5:00-7:00 p.m. for example, when parking is free after 6:00 p.m.), meterUP will only charge you until 6:00 p.m.

Question: I paid for parking with meterUP but still got a ticket. What’s the problem?

Answer: Although we do our best to ensure a seamless transaction, once in awhile, mistakes can happen. If you paid for parking with meterUP and received a ticket, simply email us at info@meterUP.xyz, or call us at 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and we’ll help you resolve the matter. 

Question: I got a new car, but have the same license plate. Do I need to re-register in meterUP?

Answer: If your license plate is the same, you do not need to re-register.

Question: I want to pay for three hours of parking, but the app will only let me pay for two. What’s up?

Answer: The app only lets you pay for parking up to the maximum time limit that is posted. For example, if you are parked in a two-hour zone, you can only pay for up to two hours in one session.

Question: Why does the parking rate increase after the maximum time posted?

Answer: Once you have parked past the maximum time posted, you have the option to park longer, but the rate doubles. If you park past the posted time limit a second time, the rate triples. See below for example:

I park at 201 Columbus Boulevard.  The rate is $1.50/hour and the posted time limit is four hours.

I park from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. and pay a total of $6.00.

At 1:53 p.m., I receive a notification that my time will expire, and I choose to extend the time.

From 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., the rate is doubled, so I pay $3.00 an hour, a total of $12.00.

At 5:53 p.m., I receive a notification that my time will expire, and I choose to extend the time.

From 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., the rate is tripled, so I pay $4.50 an hour, a total of $18.00.

Question: How secure is my data in the meterUP system?

Answer: The meterUP system is protected using the most advanced information security systems in the world. It meets the most stringent PCI DSS Level 1 compliance standards utilizing HTTPS, PKI, SSL and 128-bit encryption.

Question: How can I contact meterUP?

Answer: We’re here to support you and make your life easier. You can reach meterUP easily via one of the following channels:

E-mail us at info@meterUP.xyz.

Call us toll free 1-844-meterUP (1-844-638-3787) and follow the prompts for personal assistance.

As you probably heard, we just launched our new mobile parking app, meterUP! It’s pretty cool.

Here’s the deal—we’re going to be rolling out the app throughout certain parts of Philly before going citywide. If you’re not on the up and up on where meterUP will be available during the pilot period, check out this interactive map.

In the coming weeks, you can expect to see meterUP signs posted in areas highlighted on the map. That means if you don’t see signs like the one to the left, meterUP is not available on that street yet. But once you see the signs, you’re good to meterUP!

While we’re talking about signs:

Make sure you’re taking note of the zone number posted on the signs. You’ll need to enter the zone number before you meterUP!

More questions on how to meterUP? Most of them can be answered in the FAQs or by calling 1-844-meterUP!  

Also—check out the signs below for more examples of where you can meterUP!

December 2015 Fuel Surcharge Notice

This RFP is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting proposals for the procurement of Armored Car Services.  Prospective Proposers will need to register by emailing Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, at mwheeler@philapark.org prior to downloading the attached documents in order to participate in this solicitation.  Detailed information on how to proceed is contained in the attached Notice to Proposers.

15-23 Notice to Proposers

RFP No. 15-23 Armored Car Services 2015

Notice to All Interested Parties:

Please see the attached Final-Form Rulemaking Order below issued by the Philadelphia Parking Authority at its regular meeting today, November 24, 2015 at Docket No. 126-12 concerning the removal of the taxicab safety camera image transmission requirement. This regulation was proposed by the Authority at this docket number on June 25, 2015, the public comment period concluded on October 19, 2015 and, after review, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (“IRRC”) did not have any comments, objections or recommendations to offer on the proposed rulemaking. This final-form regulation will proceed to the Legislative standing committees and IRRC for consideration.

126-12 Taxicab Safety Cameras (Transmission) Final Form Order 11.24.15

James R. Ney, Director
Taxicab & Limousine Division
Philadelphia Parking Authority
2415 S. Swanson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
T 215-683-9417
F 215-683-9437
E-Mail JNey@Philapark.org

The PPA admin offices in addition to the Residential Parking Permits department will be closing at 3PM on Wednesday, November 25th, 2015.

This week marks the official start of the holiday season. And that means right after scarfing down your Thanksgiving feast (extra stuffing please), your mind will immediately switch to holiday shopping mode.

In the digital age, it’s easy to get the it gift of the year by browsing ebay or amazon, but there’s still something special about good ol’ fashion window shopping — and we all know Philly’s got you covered with that.

Here’s the deal: As you’re shopping, you’ll probably be looking for a good deal, right? Whether it’s a new sweater from Macy’s or a video game from Gamestop, the discounts will be plentiful, and that includes parking.

Let’s get right to it: Starting this weekend, we’ll be offering discounted parking at our AutoParks and, of course, free metered parking on Saturdays. These deals will last up until New Year’s Day. Check out the details below:

For only $8 on Saturdays and Sundays, you can park at the AutoParks listed below between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• AutoPark at Independence Mall
• AutoPark at Olde City
• AutoPark at 8th & Filbert
• AutoPark at Jefferson
• AutoPark at Gallery Mall
• Family Courthouse

And now the big one — on Saturdays after 11 a.m., metered parking will be free city-wide up until January 1, 2016!

Keep in mind: Time limits will still be enforced and all other regulations will be in effect.

If you have any questions or need any guidance during the holiday season, reach out to us on Twitter or Facebook! Happy holidays!