Single Space Meters Now Accept Credit Cards (and other improvements)

Making Improvements for the New Year

It's been a year of improvements at the Parking Authority. We added two divisions to our office - Parking Planning and Valet Parking Regulations; we've updated our single space parking meters, added secure bicycle parking and we're busy upgrading our facilities.

We want to take a moment to show our gratitude to our customers and our stakeholders - most notably the residents of Baltimore City, who continue to help Baltimore grow in new and exciting ways.

Happy Holidays and stay in touch in the new year:

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Our Mission: To find, or create, and implement parking solutions for Baltimore City, and to be the resource on all things "parking" in Baltimore.

Single Space Meters Get an Upgrade

Credit Card Accepting Single Space Meters

In 2004, EZ Park Meters began to replace thousands of single space meters in Baltimore City. These multi-space parking meters were better than single space meters in several ways – they allow more cars to park on each block, improve the streetscape of the neighborhood, and, best of all, they accept credit cards as well as coins. But on some blocks, there are just two or three single space meters – not enough to replace with an EZ Park Meter. Other locations cannot accommodate an EZ Park Meter because of the lack of curb space.

These old single space meters caused frustration to drivers who couldn't pay the meter despite having the one or two dollars in the bank needed to secure a parking space.

In the last few weeks, 1177 new single space meters that accept credit cards as well as coins have replaced the traditional parking meters. Now drivers can park at almost any parking meter with the same ease and convenience they have grown to enjoy since the debut of EZ Park Meters for nearly a decade.

City-Owned Garages Undergo Improvements

Fayette Street Garage isn't just for monthly contract holders any more. A new EZ Park Meter placed just outside the garage provides visitors to the area the option to park inside the garage instead of hunting for an available parking space on-street.

Location: 1001 E Fayette Street

Flat Rate: $5.00

Hours: 6:00am-8:00pm, Monday-Friday

The Guilford Garage located at 220 Guilford Avenue is undergoing some much needed renovations including concrete restoration. Repairs are ongoing.

The Little Italy Garage will be undergoing expansion joint restoration over the next couple months. This type of repair will help prevent water damage. Also planned for 2014 are some minor structure restoration.

Valet Parking Regulations Begins Issuing Permits

Valet parking provides a great service when done right. Customers can get where they want to go without the stress of searching for an available parking space. But until now, valet parking operators have been allowed to function with very little oversight.

This year, the Parking Authority worked with elected officials, community members, and businesses to pass City Council Bill 12-0081, which developed criteria and standards by which valet operators must abide. Almost every aspect of valet operators’ conduct must be pre-approved: from the location of the valet stand, to the credentials of their drivers, to proof of insurance, and the route to and from a required off-street parking facility.

Valet parking operators are now required to obtain a license to operate and each location must be issued a valet zone permit if on-street parking spaces are being utilized. To date, 27 valet parking operator license applications and 30 Valet Zone Permit Applications have been received.

Patrons who see a PABC issued valet operator’s license and permit before handing their keys over will know that the valet has a current driver’s license, works for a company that is licensed and adequately insured, operates under certain standards, and will park their car in a legal parking space that does not interfere with residents or other businesses.

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