Beginning Monday, Feb. 24, ParkColumbus App and Simplified Rates Coming to Downtown Parking Meters
On Monday, Feb.
24, the ParkColumbus mobile payment app and parking meter rate recommendations
begin to take effect Downtown to better manage on-street parking access and
availability.
The Columbus
Division of Parking Services will launch the ParkColumbus app for use at all
metered parking spots Downtown and implement a simplified structure for meter
rates and time limits at more than 2,800 Downtown meters:
- Value meters at 50 cents per
hour with no time limit
- In demand meters at $1 per hour
with a 3-hour time limit
- High turnover meters at $1.50
per hour with a 30-minute time limit (75 cents per 30 minutes)
Implementation
of the app and meter rate changes may take a few weeks to complete following
the Feb. 24 start date.
These changes
are among recommendations made in the Downtown Strategic Parking Plan. It
provides a system-wide approach to better align on-street parking rates with
off-street rates, streamline time limits and decrease confusion.
Parking Services
will monitor and evaluate the new rate structure’s performance during the first
six months and, if needed, consider adjustments to be responsive to the
community and parking demand.
“The Downtown
Strategic Parking Plan represents another step in our ongoing effort to bring
efficient, accessible and equitable parking to Columbus’s urban neighborhoods,”
said Jennifer L. Gallagher, Director of the Department of Public Service. “This
plan helps to manage congestion and distribute parking demand as Columbus
continues to experience high growth.”
“The City of
Columbus is excited to add the ParkColumbus app technology to metered parking
Downtown,” said Robert Ferrin, Assistant Director of Parking Services. “This
customer-focused convenience allows users to pay with their smartphone as well
as extend parking time if necessary.”
The Downtown
plan was developed in Parking Services’ comprehensive Strategic Parking Plan
initiative that also studied Franklinton, the University District and South of
Downtown neighborhoods. Recommendations for those study areas are forthcoming.
To view a map of
Downtown meter locations with the new rate and time limit structure, visit https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/parking/Strategic-Parking-Plan/
and click on “Downtown Meter Rates Map”
For more
information on the ParkColumbus app, visit https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/parking/Parking-Services-Home/
and click on “How to use the ParkColumbus mobile payment app”