FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 13, 2015
Contact: DPW Director Chapin Spencer, 802-863-9094
BBA Director Kelly Devine, 802-863-1175
UVM TPS Director Jim Barr, 802-656-8686
Mobile Payments for Parking Coming to All City & UVM Meters
Public Comment on Residential Parking Plan Extended to Nov. 24th
Burlington, VT-- Starting Friday, November 27, downtown parkers will be able to pay for any on-street meter with their cell phone. It’s easy – just download the Parkmobile app, enter the zone number shown on the meter, and enter your desired length of stay. To make life even easier, you can opt-in to receive a notification 15 minutes before your parking session is set to expire. Parking sessions can be extended by phone as long as the parking session has not hit the maximum stay for the particular meter. A toll free number (1-877-727-5010) is also posted on signage to make on-street payments for those without a smartphone.
“The mobile payments service is another important step in modernizing and improving the experience of parking in the City,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Vermonters should know this holiday season that visiting downtown Burlington has never been easier.”
“One of the main requests we’ve heard over and over again is for more ways to pay; both from our downtown customers and local businesses. Few people carry coins these days and while the city has installed nearly 300 credit-card accepting smart meters in the downtown core, 75% of the City’s meters still only accept coins. Offering pay by phone options for all meters is a major step in making the parking experience more convenient,” said Kelly Devine, Executive Director of the Burlington Business Association.
The City has partnered with Parkmobile (www.Parkmobile.com) for a one year trial to demonstrate the technology. In order to have all 1,200 meters with the instructional stickers on them by the November 27th launch date, stickers with mobile payment information will start appearing on meters in mid-November. The City will use the information and feedback gained during the pilot period to determine its long range plan for mobile payments implementation. Much of the cost of this service will be covered by a $0.35 convenience fee that the user will pay for each transaction. The University of Vermont is also partnering with Parkmobile to offer the service at their meters which will launch later this year.
“The City and University worked together to pilot the same service so the public can enjoy the convenience of using the same payment method downtown and on the hill. New technologies offer new ways for the University and City to collaborate,” said Jim Barr, Director of UVM’s Transportation and Parking Services.
UPDATE TO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PARKING PLANS: Three draft parking and transportation plans are available for public comment and can be viewed at www.ParkBurlington.com. These plans are the culmination of a year-long process engaging residents, visitors, businesses, and other stakeholders in evaluating how the City can better manage parking downtown and in residential neighborhoods.
The public comment period for the Residential Parking Management Plan has been extended to November 24th to accommodate the upcoming advisory committee meeting and updates to the current draft plan. The public comment period for the other plans conclude on November 15th as originally noticed.
Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan: This draft plan recommends revisions to the way public and private parking is managed in the downtown and waterfront areas. Public comment will be incorporated into a final draft plan that will be posted at www.ParkBurlington.com by late November. The final draft of the Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan will be presented to the City Council for their acceptance in December.
Residential Parking Management Plan: This draft plan recommends revisions to the Residential Parking Program and proposes additional strategies to manage parking in residential areas with high parking demand. The October version is being further revised to remove the commuter permit pilot concept and incorporate other changes requested by public comment already received. The plan’s advisory committee will meet November 17, 5:30 pm at Burlington Electric Department (585 Pine Street) to review the latest draft of the plan. The final draft of the Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan is expected to be presented to the Public Works Commission for their acceptance in December.
Transportation Demand Management Action Plan: This draft plan recommends strategies to help City staff and other downtown commuters get to work other ways than driving solo – to help free up spaces for others who come or live downtown.
“These three parking and transportation plans work together to help meet Burlington’s future parking and transportation needs. The livability and vitality of the Queen City depend on future improvements to the efficiency and convenience of all modes – whether walking, biking, driving, carsharing, or taking transit,” said Public Works Director Chapin Spencer.
A detailed timeline for the completion of the parking and transportation plans can be reviewed at www.ParkBurlington.com.
It is important to note that major recommendations of these plans will require additional public process before going into effect. Adjustments to parking rates and policies will require approval by the DPW Commission, the City Council, or the Vermont Legislature, and these bodies will provide additional opportunity for public comment prior to enacting these changes.
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