by Alex Lloyd Gross
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is at it again. This time it is a new Smart Loading Zone program that runs off of a QR code and an App that is designed to help drivers making a delivery. Currently, many vehicles double park when making a delivery. This clogs up roads. At times, drivers park in loading zones to avoid meters.
This program aims to stop it, but first the Parking Authority assumes that all drivers have a Smart Phone. and they will do QR codes. Some people do not and they will get slapped with a $51.00 fine, if they are four minutes in a spot. The first three minutes are free. Someone runs into an office, drops off an envelope and picks up an envelope, gets in their vehicle and leaves. it took two minutes. They are free.
However, most transactions don’t take that short of a time period. Someone is in front of you, the point of contact in the office is busy, or perhaps someone wants to chat with you. That’s an expensive conversation, $51.00.
What the program does is allow you to get a wallet in your App. they you can then enter your vehicle plate . It’s called CurbPass. Again the first three minutes are free. After that you are billed 10 cents a minute. A five minute stop will cost you 20 cents. A camera nearby keeps track.
You are timed out after an hour. 57 minutes is billed at $5.70. After that it’s a $51.00 ticket. Many fleet users like UPS and Amazon will use this the most. So far over 49000 people have registered for accounts. This alleviates the metermaid being at the location.
Following measurable improvements in traffic flow, curb access, and commercial loading activity across 22 blocks of Center City. The new expansion will now include an additional 30 blocks in Center City – for a total of 52 blocks.
You can always pay to park at a meter or use off street parking. It is unknown how l temp tags or tags that are obstructed. will be billed. To use this, you must have a smart phone and have the ability to do QR codes.