ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando crews removed the city’s final parking meters Friday as it shifts to a fully digital payment system for street parking, and more changes are coming soon to parking hours, rates and time limits.
Drivers are being directed to green signs that explain how to pay using the ParkMobile app, online or by texting the zone number for the area where they parked. ParkMobile is currently the only payment option, but the city said a second option will be added in the next few weeks.
Ashley Rotter, who lives in Orlando, said the change could make parking easier for some drivers.
“I mean it could be more convenient only because I always have my phone, but I never have change,” Rotter said.
The city is offering a three-week grace period for violations while drivers adjust to the new system.
“Right now, we just want to have an education period,” said Joshua Alves, parking assistant division manager for the city of Orlando.
Among the other changes is street parking that is currently free after 6 p.m. will soon become free after 8 p.m.
Rotter said the later start time for free parking could affect downtown businesses.
“It might be a little bit harder, especially for the restaurants downtown,” Rotter said. “I can imagine not many people like to come after 8 p.m. to eat.”
City officials said they expect the change to help businesses by encouraging more turnover in parking spaces. Some street parking spaces will also allow longer stays of up to six hours, but hourly rates will increase over the time spent in those spaces.
The changes are also meant to encourage drivers to use parking garages, city officials said. Orlando plans to introduce proximity-based pricing at garages during events, meaning parking will cost more in garages closer to the event.
“It is going to help spread out the congestion because we have a very high congestion traffic problem downtown,” Alves said. “So the only way to do that is adjusting rates with parking and spreading the demand out.”
As the new rules take effect, city officials said larger signs will be installed so drivers can see the parking rules for each area.
For people who do not have a smartphone or cannot pay online, officials said they have noticed challenges since the signs went up and are working on solutions. Officials said they are also open to feedback as they determine how to address the issue.
The city has information on its website to explain all the changes.