Have you ever had to make a trip to our Parking Violations Branch (PVB)? If so, it was probably because you had to pay for a parking ticket. Or maybe you needed to pay towing and impoundment fees. We know — it probably wasn’t the highlight of your day. But we want to make sure your trip to the PVB is quick so you can go about your day.

How can we make your PVB trip quick? By answering your questions before arriving. So check out our PVB FAQs we’ve gathered below. But if you’re not getting answers, let’s hear your concerns on Facebook and Twitter and we’ll get you squared away.

Hours of Operation:

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

Ticketing:

Question: I had my kiosk recipe on the dashboard; why did I receive a ticket?

Answer: If you received a violation and had your kiosk receipt in your vehicle, there are many reasons why you may have received a citation. Here are a few examples: it’s possible that the receipt flipped over when you closed your door, your time may have expired, or perhaps, due to inclement weather, the expired time was simply illegible.

Question: I received an emissions expired violation, but I have proof that my car was inspected. What should I do?

Answer: If you received an expired inspection violation, you must send in a copy of your Emissions Report (which can be obtained from your mechanic) using any of the options listed here.

Question: Is there a statute of limitations on parking tickets?

Answer: There are no statute of limitations for parking tickets. More information can be found here.

Question: How many tickets can I receive before my car registration is suspended?

Answer: Vehicle must have six or more open parking tickets issued within the last three years.

Question: How do I find out how many tickets I have?

Answer: There are three ways to find out how many tickets you have:

1. Call the Parking Violations Branch at 1-888-591-3636. This is an automated system so be sure to use the following prompts to reach a representative: 1, 4, 5 and 1 again.
2. Email customer.service2@xerox.com or contact Shannon Ruiz at SRuiz@philapark.org.
3. Send your inquiry to the City of Philadelphia, P.O Box 41818, Philadelphia, PA 19101.

Ticket Payment and Contesting Options:

Question: What forms of payment do you take?

Answer: We accept the following forms of payment:

1. By mail: Parking Violations Branch, P.O. Box 41818 Philadelphia, PA 19101-1818. Check or money order should be made out to “City of Philadelphia” and include the ticket number being paid. Do not send your check to the Philadelphia Parking Authority. For your peace of mind, please do not mail cash.
2. In person: Parking Violations Branch, 913 Filbert Street Philadelphia, PA 19107. Weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
3. By phone: Call (888) 591-3636 to pay by Visa, Mastercard or Check. After the voice response system introduction, press “1″ and have your credit card or bank account information ready. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note there is a $2.50 processing fee for over the phone payments.
4. Online: Payments may be submitted online here. Please note there is a $2.50 processing fee for online payments.

Question: How do I get on a payment plan?

Answer: You may qualify for a payment plan if you are unable to pay in full. Call 888-591-3636 for more information. In general, the amount owed must be over $125, you must make a down payment of 25% and you must provide an eligible credit card, debit card or checking account from which automated monthly payments can be electronically withdrawn. The minimum monthly payment is $20 and the maximum term is 12 months.

Question: Where can I pay a Red Light Ticket?

Answer: If the Red Light Violation is not past-due, you have four ways to make a payment.

1. By mail: To the address that is on both Notices’ of Violation.
2. In person: At 45 N. 8th Street
3. Over the phone: 1-844-248-0449.
4. Online: Red Light Violations under 30 days old can be paid here. Please Note: To make online or over the phone payments, you will need your Notice Number and your PIN.

If the violation has gone past-due, you have four ways to make payment.

1. By mail: To Parking Violations Branch, P.O. Box 41819, Philadelphia, Pa 19101
2. In Person: At 913 Filbert Street
3. Over the phone: 1-888-591-3636.
4. Online: Red Light Violations over 30 days old can be paid here.

Question: I want to contest a ticket, but am unable to in person. What are my options?

Answer: If you are unable to attend an in-person hearing, you have multiple options for contesting a ticket. Click here for more details.

Booting and Towing Questions:

Question: How many tickets do I need to get on the boot list?

Answer: If you accumulate three or more unpaid parking tickets, your vehicle is eligible to have one of our yellow metal boots attached to it.

Question: Why was my car towed right after being booted without giving me a chance to pay?

Answer: If your vehicle was towed right after being booted, it could have been due to obstruction of rush hour traffic or because it was simply parked in a tow-away zone. For more information pertaining to Booting & Towing please visit the Laws & Enforcement section of our website.

This RFP is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors for professional services for replacement of the overhead existing lighting on Arrivals Road at Philadelphia International Airport in the City of Philadelphia. The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or via email at mwheeler@philapark.org.

RFP No. 15-09 Notice to Proposers

RFP No. 15-09 Replace Lights on Arrivals Road at PHL – Construction Management Services

If you saw last month’s #TBT, you took a stroll into the past and saw the opening ceremony for our old Rittenhouse Square Garage. This time around, we’re taking a glance at an artist’s sketch before it was built.

Before excavation began on February 10, 1953, this artist rendering gave a near perfect glimpse of what the Rittenhouse Square Garage would look like. Nowadays, the garage is still nestled at 18th and Walnut Streets right across from Philly’s treasured Rittenhouse Square Park. So the next time you’re at the Rittenhouse Farmers Market or taking your dog for a walk in the park, glance over to 18th and Walnut Streets.

There you have it. Another trip down the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) memory lane. While you’re here check out the discounts we offer at our current garages!

And yet again, we’d like to thank Margery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, for continuing to share pieces of PPA history with us.

February 2015 Medallion Sales Completed

Remember February’s cold spell? Turning each corner only to be met by piercing winds that would leave your face numb within seconds?

For most of us, we only had to deal with the tundra during our short walk to work. Our Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) on the other hand — yeah, they had to battle the blistering winds and bitter cold seven hours a day while walking their beats.

Luis Laboy, a Northeast Philly native, has been with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) for just under a year, and he’s up for the challenge. Why? Because he clearly has that competitive “let’s do it” attitude.

“I coach baseball, basketball, soccer and football when I’m not working. I also play recreational softball whenever I can.”

As a coach of four different sports, it’s obvious Laboy has a passion for mentoring our youth. But what’s his favorite sport?

“Baseball. I played baseball since I was seven years old all the way up through high school. I would go back and forth between first base and catcher.”

Here’s the thing though — and be nice, Philadelphia — Laboy is a devout Yankees fan, and proud of it. You see that PPA hat he’s wearing in the picture above? Well when he’s not walking his beats, it’s replaced by a Yankees cap.

Don’t let the fact that Laboy’s a Yankees fan stop you from talking to him. Because just like all of our PEOs, Laboy doesn’t just issue tickets, he educates the public.

“Sometimes you’ll get out-of-towners who don’t know it’s free meter night or they’re not sure how to use a kiosk. So we always try to take the time to help them so they don’t receive a ticket.”

That’s right: a PEO helping prevent tickets instead of issuing them. In fact, sometimes our PEOs play the role of good samaritan, too.

“A few months ago a coworker and I came across a lost deaf child on Filbert Street. He was separated from his parents who were shopping close by. We stayed with the child while the police were contacted and until he was reunited with his parents.”

These acts of goodwill from our PEOs tend to go unnoticed. Because part of their job means issuing tickets, sometimes it can get pretty hostile.

“A few weeks ago I issued a ticket to a gentleman parked in a passenger loading zone. He was irate and repeatedly threatened my life. But the only thing I could do was turn and walk away.” 

It’s a daily occurrence for our PEOs to be threatened for merely doing their job. In this case, mends were made.

“ A few weeks later I bumped into that same gentleman and he was very apologetic. I appreciated that. But in most cases, you just need to take it on the chin and bear it.”

When Laboy is done walking his beats and not coaching the next Babe Ruth, he has a simple yet satisfying way to wind down. And of course, it involves sports.

“I usually play sports-oriented video games like Madden, MLB The Show and FIFA. My friends and I usually get together and have tournaments.”

So the next time you see Laboy walking his beats, feel free to ask questions! And if you’re an avid gamer, who knows? Maybe you can exchange GamerTags and face-off in MLB The Show. Just remember: he’ll probably be playing as the Yankees.

This Bid is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting bids from a single prime electrical contractor for lighting removal and replacement at the neighborhood parking lot located at Ruth & Clearfield Streets, Philadelphia, PA.  The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or email at mwheeler@philapark.org.

BID 15-06 Notice to Bidders

This Bid is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting bids from multiple prime contractors (Architectural, Plumbing and Electrical) for repairs and improvements to the stairways and adjacent sidewalk areas on the 5^th Street side of its Independence Mall underground garage.  The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or email at mwheeler@philapark.org.

BID 15-08 Notice to Bidders

April 2015 Fuel Surcharge Notice

Medallion Transfer P-1290

Medallion Transfer P-0792 & 1267

Medallion Transfer P-0523

Medallion Transfer P-0515 & P-0534

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being issued by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting written proposals from qualified vendors to procure a lease agreement for a real-time global positioning system for vehicle tracking. The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or email at mwheeler@philapark.org.

RFP No. 15-07 Notice to Proposers

RFP No. 15-07 Real-time Global Positioning System (GPS)

If you live in the greater Philadelphia area, you’ve probably flown out of the Philadelphia International Airport

(PHL). But before you checked in your luggage and made a beeline to your gate, where did you leave your car? Well, if you didn’t take SEPTA, there’s a good chance you parked with us before taking to the skies.

For the past 10 years, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has operated the PHL’s parking facilities. From the very moment the PPA began operating PHL’s parking, our airport staff has strived to provide convenient, affordable and hassle-free parking — and they’ve done just that.

Let’s take a look at the improvements we’ve made in the past 10 years.

Economy Parking:

Ten years ago our airport economy lots held roughly 4,100 parking spaces. Yeah — that seems like a lot, doesn’t it? But guess how many they hold now? Well if you add 3,000 to 4,100, you’ll get your answer. That’s right: We’ve expanded the economy lots by 3,000 spaces in 10 years. Believe it or not, our economy lots offer more than just parking. Check out everything our economy parking has to offer here.

Technological Enhancements:

Aside from adding parking spaces, we’ve also beefed up our use of new technologies that weren’t available a decade ago. By using these new technologies, we’ve greatly enhanced customer service experiences and cut back on paper usage by printing 30,000 less tickets per month!

Credit Card In and Out

Some of our enhancements include ways to get you in and out of the parking lots faster. At our airport parking facilities, lines are a thing of the past. Why? Well, in addition to using Google Wallet, we also offer a credit card in and out service. It’s simple: When entering our airport parking facilities, just have your credit card ready. At the entrance, insert the credit card into the ticket issuing machine. When exiting, just head to a Self-Service Credit Only automated lane and insert the same credit card. Also, if you have a contact-free enabled credit card, just hold the card about three inches from the vertical reader built into the ticket issuing machine and patron interface box at the exit. After that, the gates will lift and boom — you’re on your merry way.

Real-time Garage Parking Availability

It’s always great to know what you’re walking into, or in this case driving into, right? Well, another technological enhancement we’ve added is our real-time garage parking availability system. The PPA website is updated every 15 minutes, so drivers can check space availability before entering our airport garages. That way you’ll be able to make your flight without wandering around aimlessly looking for a parking spot.

License Plate Recognition (LPR)

The final enhancement we’ll highlight is the LPR. Sometimes when you’re gone for an extended period of time, you might forget where you parked your car. Trust us, with over 7,000 spaces, we understand it’s easy to forget where you parked. With the LPR, we can keep track of the exact spot you parked in. LPR technology works because cameras at the entrances of the parking facilities capture every license plate of every vehicle that enters. Then, the LPR software registers that information into the PPA’s database, so we can pull that information if needed. So if you forget where you parked after a long flight, let one of our team members know and we’ll locate your car!

Sure, we’re proud of expanding our economy lot and adding the tech features. But what are we most proud of? Our dedicated airport staff who made it happen — in only 10 years.

Frank Ragozzino, Director of Airport Operations, sums it up by saying, “I’m most proud of the workforce. It was a monumental task to take on operating at the airport. There were a number of issues we had to resolve and a lot of folks here were apprehensive when we took over airport operations. People were afraid they would lose their jobs.”

Frank continues, “It took a lot of hard work in making employees aware of the policies. We couldn’t go in there like gangbusters. We wanted to let them know they are part of, not to sound corny, the PPA family.”

Lady Liberty Transportation Stock Transfer 50%

It’s always good to have options, right? Whether you’re shopping for a new car or maybe picking up a new pair of kicks, more choices always lead to finding what’s best for you. This philosophy also applies to contesting parking tickets.

Not only does the Philadelphia Parking Authority fully support everyone’s right to contest tickets, we also offer various options for contesting them. To get a better glimpse of how to contest tickets, check out your options below.

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 BranchPO Box 41819 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:

• Request an in-person hearing by clicking here.
• Submit your case by mail. To learn how to submit your case by mail, click here.
• Submit your case online by clicking here.

And there you have it: multiple options in exercising your right to contest parking tickets. In fact, in 2013, over 150,000 people exercised this right. Check out these stats:

• Total number of tickets issued: 1,496,760
• Total number of tickets challenged: 166,494
• Total number of tickets dismissed by BAA: 21,040
• Total number of tickets determined liable by BAA: 145,454

Any questions about contesting your ticket? We’ll get you answers through Facebook or Twitter!

Nowadays you can do  pretty much anything with the countless apps available on smartphones. If you need directions, boom, Google Maps. Buying something on Amazon? Click — done. Sharing a selfie? Bam, Instagram.

You get the jist. No matter what you’re trying to do, there’s probably an app for it. But what about paying for parking tickets? There’s an app for that.

Here’s the deal: with the free-to-download app PayTix, if you choose not to contest a ticket, it will be available for payment 24 hours after  receiving it. Just like most apps out there, it’s pretty cut and dry and easy to navigate.

After downloading PayTix, pick your preferred PayTix city (Philadelphia) and enter your ticket number. From there, you’ll be prompted to create a billing information profile. That way, your billing formation will be saved in case you need to pay another ticket in the future. The only thing you’ll need for future use will be your credit card number, which PayTix doesn’t keep for security purposes.

And there you have it! A more convenient way of paying your parking tickets. But remember: the Philadelphia Parking Authority will always support your right to contest a ticket you feel has been wrongfully issued.

Any questions? Get at us on Twitter or Facebook or send an email to paytixsupport@xerox.com.

*Please note PayTix is currently only available for iPhone users.

PayTix Info PDF

Remember a few months ago when we took a look at the grand opening of our Edison Park and Lock Garage? Well, we’re back again!

In 1961, the Edison Park and Lock Garage officially opened to the public, but it wasn’t until 1962 that the garage was officially complete. In the picture to the left, construction workers put on the finishing touches as they meticulously raised a 38 foot sign to the roof. Once the garage was complete, it housed 500 parking spaces on 11th and Market Streets.

Obviously as times  change, so do the parking rates. Just take a look at the sign. The going rate for half-hour parking was only 15 cents!

Nowadays you won’t see the garage on 11th and Market Streets. Instead you’ll see entrances to the soon-to-be renovated Gallery at Market East. In fact, a few blocks away you’ll also notice our 8th & Filbert garage is undergoing a much anticipated transformation! Also, if you haven’t already, make sure you check out the discounts we currently offer at our AutoParks!

Once again, we’d like to thank Margery Sly, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University, for sharing these pieces of Philadelphia Parking Authority history with us.

March -2015-Medallion-Transfers-Completed

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being issued by the Philadelphia Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting written proposals from qualified vendors for the procurement of summer and winter uniforms under a Uniform Contract for designated employees. The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, at 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or via email at mwheeler@philapark.org.  You must register with Mary Wheeler via email by providing the primary contact name, company name and email address prior to downloading the RFP documents below.

15-10 Summer & Winter Uniforms – Notice to Proposers

RFP No. 15-10 Summer & Winter Uniforms

With any work of art, there must be a vision — and that vision must come from the artist. By now we’re sure you’ve heard about us transforming the 8th & Filbert AutoPark into an illuminous gateway to Philadelphia. Have you ever stopped and wondered who is behind this much-anticipated transformation?

Nacima Boukenna, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) Director of Engineering and Design, is the brainchild and visionary behind the 8th & Filbert Transformation project. She took the time to sit down and have her brain piqued.

In a corner office at PPA Headquarters, Boukenna takes her place behind her desk, prepared to answer questions about how the transformation is moving along. What she didn’t expect was to be asked questions about herself.

A self-proclaimed mut, Boukenna’s father was of Algerian descent while her mother was French. Boukenna spent her early childhood in Algeria where her father, a huge admirer of the United States and a World War II veteran, constantly gave a young Boukenna lessons of America’s history before spending her later childhood in France. In 1983, Boukenna made the trek across the pond and arrived in Boston.

“Since I knew America’s history before arriving, it was almost like going on a journey I’ve been prepared for. ”

Even though Boukenna had a firm grasp on our country’s history, nothing could have prepared her for the American culture.

“Physically speaking, everything was so much bigger in America than Europe. Another thing that struck me was that everyone was amazingly open and friendly. In France, people don’t say hi to you unless they know you. But here it is much much different.”

Though Boukenna needed to adjust to the new culture, her ambition to create and build was unyielding. Before coming to the United States, Boukenna earned a Professional Degree in Architectural and Urban Planning. Prior to joining the PPA in 1990, Boukenna attended the University of Pennsylvania where she earned a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.

“I knew I was going to pursue architectural engineering professionally when I first arrived here,” said Boukenna, without a shred of hesitation. Where does Boukenna get her architectural inspiration?

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s work really  speaks to me because I  understand what he is trying to do, combine nature and a community. There’s a connection between his spoken words and design. But my favorite of all time is Frank Gehry because he’s totally crazy. His work is always able to draw an emotional reaction.”

Drawing an emotion is important when creating any work of art — and Boukenna aspires to draw similar emotions through her urban planning approach.

“ I think that when you’re planning a structure, you’re not really planning it visually for yourself. It should belong to the people walking down the sidewalk and I believe it should allude emotions.”

Yes, Boukenna’s vision of the 8th & Filbert AutoPark is for the people of Philadelphia. Her approach to that vision derives from her childhood in France and Algeria.

“Given where I grew up with buildings that are thousands of years old, I am not easily inclined to tear something down and rebuild. To me, taking an old building and bringing it back to life is almost like a resurrection.”

With virtually no changes to the 8th & Filbert AutoPark since construction completed in the ‘60s, Boukenna’s planned resurrection echos her love for the underdog.

“I don’t like feeling the end of something. When I see something that is in horrible shape, I make it my mission to save it.  That could mean an animal, human being or a structure. And if we can resurrect this block of Market Street, it will be a vindication on time passing.”

What do you think about the 8th & Filbert Transformation project? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

This Bid is being issued by the Parking Authority (the “Authority”). The Authority is soliciting bids from a single prime electrical contractor to replace the fire alarm system at AutoPark Olde City, 2nd and Sansom Streets, Philadelphia, PA.  Bid documents will be available after 3:00 PM, Friday, April 17, 2015 at 701 Market Street, Suite 5400, Philadelphia, Pa 19106 for a fee of $75.00.  The sole contact at the Authority shall be Mary Wheeler, Manager of Contract Administration, via email at mwheeler@philapark.org.

BID 15-11 Notice to Bidders