New Haven Independent

Posted by: Paul Wessel | March 28, 2008 8:42 AM

From the glass half full perspective, as the person who pushed the meter improvement project, the meters now work reliably and keep accurate time, look decent, take "smart" smart cards, have replacement parts available, have a 5 year warranty, are auditable, and produce ongoing revenue apparently of $1 million per year.

We had predicted, at the time of pitching the idea, $3.8 million per year in revenue for 12 months. The new meters were installed and operational for only 9 months of FY06-07 (they were installed over about 6 weeks and were fully up by September 1, 2006), so $3.5 million for FY 06-07 is impressive.

Posted by: Paul Wessel | March 28, 2008 8:44 AM

make that ongoing "new" revenue of $1 million per year.

Posted by: Our Town | March 28, 2008 8:50 AM

Hey Becky, look around...the economy is down...you can go to many parts of downtown and find empty meters pretty much anytime. Empty meters produce no revenue.

Posted by: Esbe | March 28, 2008 9:52 AM

Meter enforcement is also much improved -- tickets come fast and furious. As a result, there are more open parking spaces, which is good for retail and for folks trying to shop and run errands.

I think that some downtown and Yale employees are now using long-term parking lots rather than trying to park on the street, feed the meter and evade tickets. That is a good thing.

Posted by: Maria | March 28, 2008 10:21 AM

Smart Cards don't work half the time.

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | March 28, 2008 12:31 PM

Here's a "free market solution." Lower the parking meter rate. It's obviously too high!

Posted by: nfjanette | March 28, 2008 12:38 PM

the meters now work reliably

If you mean they reliably don't register coins, I agree. It's random, but annoying.

Posted by: Becky | March 28, 2008 3:15 PM

Thanks for your comments folks. ESBE - your right. When I mentioned compliance was down it was mostly due to the increase in the number of meter violation tickets issued. It may be that the same number of people are non-compliant - we are just better at enforcement. The parking authority has also noticed an increase in hours parked at the garages.

I don't think lowering the rates will accomplish much. The goal - in addition to raising revenue - is to drive the long term parkers into the garages and lots where they should be -to free up the spaces for the short term parkers (notice the time limits) people running into City Hall to get a birth certificate, those running in for a cup of coffee or to buy something on Chapel Street.

Posted by: DingDong | March 28, 2008 3:59 PM

Becky,

I think what you are saying is right in line with, according to what I'm told, is the thinking of one the world's experts on parking: Donald Shoup, a professor at UCLA. You probably know about this already but here's a review/summary of his famous book:

http://www.carbusters.org/magazine/sections.php?issue=33&go=books

Posted by: Paul Wessel | March 28, 2008 4:34 PM

Re: coin misses and smartcards: The meters are calibrated to distinguish between real coins and slugs or foreign coins. If they are not reading US coins, you should call the number on the sticker on the meter. That's why we made sure they were there. I've been using my smart card for the past year and half with no problem, other than sometimes the card slot is a little tight. If you do have a problem, contact the Mike Irvine at Parcxmart - he knows every meter on the street of New Haven intimately - 978-204-8971 or mirvine@parcxmart.com - it keeps him up at night if he knows something's not as it should be. So sayeth the former Director of Traffic and Parking, with the blessing of the current director, who is doing an awesome job, by the way.

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | March 29, 2008 1:45 PM

I find it very difficult to park my horse.

My horse should be getting equal access to road travel and parking spaces, such as bicyclists enjoy.

This is equine discrimination!

Posted by: KenCT | March 29, 2008 10:31 PM

Has it occured to anyone that people who have the option to park elswhere are doing so? I live in New Haven, pay taxes in New Haven, and would prefer to spend my money in New Haven. But given the draconian parking regulations and fines, I'm leaving town to run errands more often than not.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2008 12:00 AM

I agree - I don't go downtown anymore till after 4 PM when I can find parking lots for free. I am also going to Hamden and Orange a whole lot more to shop at the plazas instead of downtown.

Posted by: Elm City Baby | March 30, 2008 8:03 AM

They need to fire up the meters at night too. I'm tired of trying to go out to dinner downtown - even in the middle of the week - driving around in circles looking for street parking, and findin no place to park but a lot where they gouge you up to $10. I bet I'm not alone in saying that my friends and I often decide to eat in the suburbs just to avoid parking hassle/cost downtown.

Posted by: SD | March 30, 2008 8:11 AM

They need to fire up the meters at night too. I'm tired of trying to go out to dinner downtown - even in the middle of the week - driving around in circles looking for street parking, and findin no place to park but a lot where they gouge you up to $10. I bet I'm not alone in saying that my friends and I often decide to eat in the suburbs just to avoid parking hassle/cost downtown.

Posted by: Edward_H | March 30, 2008 10:36 AM

KenCT

You hit the nail right on the head. Parking is just too much of a hassle downtown. Even something simple like taking friends or family out to Coldstone is easier out of town, notto mention safer.

Posted by: DowntownNewHaven | March 30, 2008 9:24 PM

"Even something simple like taking friends or family out to Coldstone is easier out of town, notto mention safer."

Actually, the suburbs are significantly more dangerous, given the increased risks due to driving longer distances and higher traffic speeds involved. In fact, by choosing the suburban Coldstone over downtown, you are most likely increasing your risk of death by a factor of 1,000-10,000%+.

Posted by: Edward_H | April 1, 2008 4:47 PM

DowntownNewHaven

Actually, the suburbs are significantly more dangerous, given the increased risks due to driving longer distances and higher traffic speeds involved. In fact, by choosing the suburban Coldstone over downtown, you are most likely increasing your risk of death by a factor of 1,000-10,000%+.

I would love to see the facts and math you use to come up with this figure Charlie.