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Pay-by-Plate Parking Kiosks: What You Need to Know

It’s out with the old and in with the new — parking kiosks that is.

On Tuesday, October 15th, we began installing new, state of the art, Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks throughout the city to improve the overall parking experience for Philadelphia’s residents and visitors.

The new Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks are jam packed with features that make paying for on-street parking a seamless and hassle-free experience. To get better versed in the change to the parking experience in Philadelphia, check out everything you need to know below.

Psst — make sure you have your license plate memorized.

What is going to happen?

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will begin a transition, in which it will change from a Pay and Display Meter Parking platform to a Pay by Plate Meter Parking platform. In addition, the single space meters will also be replaced with a Pay by Plate platform.

When will the changes happen?

The PPA will begin installing the new Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019.

Where will the changes happen?

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will be implementing the Pay by Plate meters city wide beginning in Center City.

Why is the Philadelphia Parking Authority installing new kiosks?

The current kiosk and single space meters have reached the end of their life expectancy.

Will the parking rates stay the same?

Yes, there are no current plans to change the parking meter rates.

What will be the new features of pay-by-plate kiosks?

  • 9” color touch screen
  • 4 languages available ( English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin)
  • Optional receipt
  • Solar Powered
  • Tracks payment by license plate number

What are the benefits of new pay-by-plate kiosks?

  • Citizens do not need to display their parking receipt on dashboard
  • Citizens have the ability to use any kiosk, as long as they have the zone number they are parked in
  • Kiosk has a full color touch screen
  • Citizens have the ability to choose if they want to print their receipt, have the receipt texted to their mobile device, or not print a receipt

What is a parking kiosk?

A kiosk, also known as a multi-space meter, is a solar powered device used to manage multiple parking spaces.

How are the new pay-by-plate kiosks different from the old kiosks?

The new kiosks feature a pay-by-plate platform which eliminates the need for citizens to display a parking receipt on their dashboard. Instead, customers input their license plate number when making payment.  After making payment, our officers will check the license plate number with their handheld ticketing device to confirm your payment. The new pay-by-plate kiosks will also allow customers to pay for parking at any kiosk so long as the customer properly enters their license plate number and the zone number in which they parked. 

How many new pay-by-plate kiosks will be installed?

The PPA expects approximately 2,000 new pay-by-plate parking kiosks to be installed. 

How do I use the new pay-by-plate kiosks?

What forms of payment are accepted at a pay-by-plate kiosk?

The new pay-by-plate kiosks will accept credit cards and coins. Mobile payments can also be made through our mobile payment app, meterUP.

How does the Parking Enforcement Officer know I paid?

The Parking Enforcement Officer will scan your license plate number with their handheld ticketing device to verify your payment. 

NOTE: It is very important that you ensure your license plate number is correctly entered into the kiosk.

How do I get a receipt?

Obtaining a receipt will be optional. Users will have the option to either print a receipt, or have a receipt sent through text message. Receipts can also be obtained online at the link provided below.

https://weboffice.mdc.dmz.caleaccess.com/cwo2receipt/3119

What happens if I get a ticket when I paid for parking?

If you would like to dispute a parking ticket that you believe was issued in error, please follow the instructions located on our website at https://www.philapark.org/violations/.

If there is no kiosk in front of my parking space, do I still have to pay?

Yes, each block regulated by metered parking will have a kiosk centralized in the middle of the block. There will also be parking regulation signs indicating you must pay at the kiosk.

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