The PPA’s temporary parking pass system has gone digital. Here’s what to know.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority discontinued its physical guest parking permit system in January.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority says it is trying to make your life easier. But some Philadelphians are skeptical.
The PPA announced changes to its visitor guest pass system in January. It no longer issues physical temporary residential permit parking passes, or day pass books. Instead, it has moved to an entirely digital system.
But the overhaul raises new questions and has left some residents confused about how to navigate the new parking landscape. Here’s what to know:
So what exactly has changed with visitor passes?
If you are expecting car-driving visitors, the PPA lets residents acquire visitor parking permits, which allow guests to avoid tickets and hefty garage fees.
Until this change was made, residents could purchase physical temporary permits for their guests at the PPA’s permit office or acquire them through an online portal.
Now, everything is digital. Permits are purchased via the PPA’s online portal and must register the guest vehicle’s license plate number at the time of purchase. The passes are bought for individual days, as opposed to purchasing books of five passes as they were before.
The digital passes must designate which day they will be used. Physical passes previously could have been purchased ahead of time and used whenever they were needed.
Any physical passes that were purchased before Jan. 1 will expire one year from their purchase dates.
Another difference is for first-time purchases. To buy a guest pass, residents must register a permit account with the PPA at the same time. A clerk will review and approve each account request after verifying they are residents of their specified parking zone. Once your account is approved, additional day passes purchases are activated immediately for at least the remainder of the year.
If you are buying a pass for the first time, you should register the permit account at least one day beforehand so it is approved in time, according to PPA spokesperson Martin O’Rourke.
Residents are not able to register permit accounts before attempting to purchase a pass, and there is no precise timeline for how long it takes for an account to be approved. This could raise problems for those with rental cars or other vehicles when the license plate is not known beforehand.
What remains the same?
The prices for permits are unchanged. They are available in these increments and fees:
One day: $7
15 days: $75
30 days: $150
60 days: $300
Households are still limited to 60 days of permits per year.
Why did the PPA do this to me?
An evergreen question. But regarding the guest pass system, the PPA says this change will improve convenience and efficiency for residents and guests.
The virtual system means people no longer need to manage physical passes or go pick them up in person. Passes can be purchased and monitored from anywhere you have access to the PPA’s online portal.
How do I get a virtual temporary pass?
You can visit the PPA’s online parking portal, which is available via philapark.org. You must log in or register for an account.
Navigate to the “permits” section and enter the necessary information, including the license plate number of the vehicle.
If you a need a same-day permit, you can visit the PPA at 35 N. Eighth St. to acquire one. You may also contact the PPA at 215-683-9730 for additional information.