OCEAN CITY — Is the new Inlet lot pay-up-front parking system causing some visitors to scurry back to their vehicles before their night of enjoyment on the Boardwalk and downtown is done?
That’s a question the Mayor and Council had before them on Monday and the short answer is there are different ways to add more time when parking on the Inlet lot. The challenge is not everybody is aware of the alternative methods to add more time, but it has become apparent many are leaving early because of concerns about their paid parking expiring.
Before the start of the summer season, the traditional gated system at the Inlet lot came down and was replaced with a new state-of-the-art, pay-by-plate system with license plate reader (LPR) technology. Now, residents and visitors enter the lot and pay up front for the parking time they anticipate using either one of the many kiosks situated on the lot or through the associated Park Mobile app on their phone or mobile device.
Essentially, visitors can pay up front for the time they expect to use and then add more time if they are enjoying the Boardwalk or beach longer than they anticipated. However, it appears there is a learning curve with adding more time and many are scurrying back to their vehicles even when they are still having a good time and would like to stay longer. Councilman Wayne Hartman broached the subject during Monday’s meeting.
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Probably leaving early to avoid the nightcrawlers.
ReplyDeleteI live on the shore. I would love to go to OC a little more. For a long time parking has kept me away for sure.
ReplyDeleteWHO are these idiots in government?
ReplyDeletePut kiosks on the boardwalk and you can add time to your parking. I just walked down a street to a kiosk and added time to my parking. If they were on the boardwalk people would add time and there wouldn't be an issue.
Too bad none of your government idiots thought of that.
I don't want to use your stupid app. I don't want your app on my phone. Make it EASY and CONVENIENT.
There are a total of 6 that are currently on the boardwalk.
DeleteJust so you are corrected..
Joe: Thanks for posting Shawn's Soper Comment about Councilman Wayne Hartman Question. The LPR Technology is so advanced, why is the time not accumulated by tag number? So simple but 9:32am many have a very good point,but they forgot, NO EXTRA CASH, for the JUICE. Please POST the service charge for Paying By Mail, if Technology does not accumulated Time. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHey Rickie, the comments on this blog are much less hostile than on FB, but we know you are reading those too!
ReplyDeleteKeep up that great work in your family friendly town!
- too many rules (no smoking, drinking, cussing, dogs, skateboards, trailers, - yet you STILL allow circus performers on the boards)
- expensive fencing in the middle of coastal highway (but people are still getting hit)
- confusing AND expensive parking, not only at the inlet but many many streets along the boards
- TAXES
No wonder there are vacancies, bars (Seacrets) and restaurants with less customers during the week; people going elsewhere to less expensive and less rules driven vacation spots!!
Well Rick Meehan, how's that strategic capital plan for the future of OC look like? Time to move aside, retire again with your gal pal and let someone else take the helm. Do it soon, before your legacy remembers you as the Mayor who truly lost OC!
anyone else remember when there were meters there. and you had to go feed them periodically?
ReplyDeleteYeah,that was back when you could park just about anywhere else in O.C. for nothing.
DeleteI leave before I get there. Nothing in OC but crazy city dems. Don't want anything to do with them. They can have OC in the summer.
ReplyDeleteSo OC has raised parking prices to the point of "diminishing returns." Who would have thunk it?? Anyone with a business degree could see that coming. It's that way with every business. OC is not immune from business principles, just because they think tourists will give them anything they charge. I think Thrasher's is coming to the same conclusion.
ReplyDeleteHey tourists, just give OC your credit card and let them charge you whatever they want. Then just pay the card off, whatever OC charged to it. Problem solved.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone wonder what OC is doing with all that "tag" information? I don't.
ReplyDeleteLooking for wanted subjects ...
DeleteThe Law of Unintended Consequences bites them in the ace again.
ReplyDeleteGreedy and dumb is a bad combination.