Privatized Parking Authorities are not beholden to the people in the communities that they operate, but to the bottom-line of profits that their investors expect. Some can set their own standards on when to charge for parking (such as weekend parking fees) with no insight from businesses, residents or elected officials of a community and can charge what they like to do so. Some bolster their workforce and create predatory cultures to maximize ticketing cars in a community, alienating drivers and negatively impacting business districts. Some issue multiple parking tickets in one day and impose late payment fees just a few days after the ticket was issued.  

 

Many are deterred from going into the region where these practices take place, hindering regions economically.  Others cannot and should not be forced to pay these tickets as it may hamper their ability to pay other essential expenses. Transportation is an indispensable economic tool, and Pennsylvanians should not be penalized by overly aggressive privatized parking authorities.   

 

Therefore, I am introducing legislation that would define privatized parking authorities and third-party lessee’s designated by a municipality and put parameters limiting behaviors similar to those listed above.   

 

We must not use parking violations as a revenue generator for private investors, but return them to their proper purpose. This is an issue of fairness to vehicle owners, residents and businesses alike that should not be exploited. Please join me in rectifying the inequity in our Commonwealth’s ticketing practices by privatized authorities.