Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
Concerns over Purple Parking Zones in Pittsburgh
Leaders in Pittsburgh have addressed the concerns of business owners regarding the implementation of purple parking zones across the city.
On Monday, KDKA-TV interviewed a business owner in Squirrel Hill who shared their worries about the new purple curbs. Following this, on Tuesday, KDKA-TV took the concerns raised by citizens and business owners to city leaders.
Eddie Lowy, owner of the last remaining coin shop on Smithfield Street, was perplexed by the sudden appearance of a purple curb outside his store.
Lowy remarked, “I asked them what they were doing, and they said it’s an experimental program. They want to start charging all the delivery services by the minute.” He expressed his disappointment, stating, “I thought it was rather petty. Downtown is already struggling.”
Purpose and Benefits of the Purple Zones
According to the city, the introduction of the purple parking zones aims to ensure that a space is always available. This initiative seeks to alleviate issues caused by double parking and traffic congestion.
As Maria Montaño, press secretary for the mayor, explained, “It costs 0.067 cents per minute, which amounts to $12 per hour. However, these zones are not intended for long-term parking.” Montaño also stated that the purple zones have significantly reduced double parking in business districts by up to 40% within the first year of implementation.
The Purple Zone Program and Future Expansion
The city plans to continue the purple zone program until 2024, utilizing cameras installed in the zones to capture license plate information. The registered owners receive a bill based on their usage.
Additionally, the city intends to add 27 more purple zones in the near future. Despite concerns from some business owners, such as Arepittas on Cherry Way, others appreciate the convenience the purple zones provide. Jonathan Rosas from Arepittas mentioned, “It’s really convenient for us because we never had a space to park when getting supplies for the restaurant due to the lack of available parking spaces.”
Funding and Benefits for Delivery Drivers
The costs of implementing the purple zone system and testing it are covered by a $100,000 grant. In an effort to support delivery drivers, the city advises them to sign up and use the app associated with the zones, as it offers a more favorable rate.
