Philly Parking Authority seeks rate hike for city meters — with proceeds destined for schools

Parking meter rates could be going up in Philadelphia — and no one testified against the idea at a City Council hearing.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority already has authorization to increase rates by 50 cents an hour in the core of Center City, but has not yet implemented those increases. The bill approved Monday by a City Council committee would give it the power to increase parking meter and kiosk rates 50 cents an hour in the rest of Philadelphia.

“Under legislation governing the [PPA’s] on-street parking program, virtually all the additional revenue from this adjustment will go to the School District of Philadelphia,” said Vince Fenerty, executive director of the parking authority. “When fully implemented, we believe this will result in an additional $7.5 million for the schools.”

The parking authority is in the process of doing away with its smart cards, Fenerty said, but it is considering alternatives such as paying for parking through a mobile phone.

“I do think by us waiting — or by even procrastinating somewhat because of the growing pains because of the kiosks — the kinks that other cities have had with it are being worked out, and we will get a better product if we dove in a year or two ago,” he said.

In the meantime, Fenerty would not say how soon drivers would have to start paying more at the meter.