New Haven has approved a pilot parking program, essentially based on a supply and demand model, that they hold will solve the parking congestion problems in the city.
“If parking is too tight, again, you raise the rate,” explained Doug Hausladen, the director of the city’s Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking. “If there’s a lot of availability, you lower the rate.”
New Haven officials have been working on a “congestion” pricing plan for months. The premise is based on tweaking prices at parking meters around the city based on how often the space is used and the time of the day. Currently, the rate is standard at $1.50 per hour.
”The morning hours, we’re proposing dropping rates in half,” said Hausladen. “Seventy-five cents an hour to come down, take care of your business at City Hall from 9 to 11 and get in and get out.”
Hausladen said the prices will go up and down by 25 cents every three months. He estimates a $100,000 jump in revenue each year.
”We’re not talking about a lot. The goal is reduce circling, make it more convenient for parking and make sure people are less frustrated when they come downtown.”
The pilot program will be implemented in January and be in place for at least three years.
