Philadelphia drivers cashing in amnesty rainchecks to clear parking tickets

A day after the end of a parking ticket amnesty program in the city, lines at the Philadelphia Parking Authority building are no longer stretching around the block.

But those who were waiting in line when the office closed Monday were given a raincheck, so they’ll still be able to qualify for the amnesty, said Clarena Tolson, authority executive director.

“There are approximately 500 people who remain to be serviced, for those people we were able to give them vouchers and asked them to come back,”  she said. “And they will be serviced just fine.”

While the lines of motorists eager to clear up fines and tickets stretched around the block for the last few days, that won’t be the case for those following up with a raincheck.

“There’s a no line wait for people who are waiting to see our amnesty specialist,” Tolson said. “And for those who are coming in to pay, the process is moving along very very quickly.”

The amnesty program lifted penalties for drivers who were willing to pay off all their old tickets. Some owed thousands of dollars.

The final tally of how many people participated in the program — and how much they paid — won’t be available until next week.