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Mayor Plans To Reverse Controversial Parking Plan

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says he plans on rescinding a controversial plan that expanded parking meter hours at night.

He says if he gets his way, there will be no tickets written in the city after 6 p.m. and the meter rates will drop.

"People are upset. They can't park downtown. They can't park in some of our neighborhoods after six without getting significant tickets," Ravenstahl said. "That concerns us because I'm not real sure what the benefit is at this point."

The plan went into effect on June 1. Ticket enforcement expanded from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and increased rates citywide.

The mayor says initial reports show little, if any, gain in revenue and a lot of complaints from people everywhere he goes.

"Well there's frustration. In some cases, anger – especially business owners that are saying, 'Hey, my patrons getting tickets outside of my establishment. They can't put more than four quarters in and it's backed up.'

"So it's become in a lot of areas a nuisance," he explained.

City council would have to approve any changes; however, the mayor says there may be ways to make the changes without council approval.

RELATED LINKS
Pittsburgh Parking Authority
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

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