BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Imagine you're getting work done on the house and the contractors need to get the truck close, or maybe you’re moving into town and need somewhere nearby to park the van.
An added layer: Let’s say there’s a parking meter.
In Bethlehem, you have an option to reserve the space you need, but the cost to do that just went up $5 a day.
Bethlehem Parking Authority last week approved an increase in the meter bag daily cost from $20 to $25, while maintaining its current “no parking” sign charge at $10 per day.
That’s the first increase in the meter bag rate since 2019.
It also comes a week after parking officials announced some changes, including a price hike, to come in broadening the city's meter rate system.
How does the price compare?
BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said the board last updated the reserved parking policy in late 2022, this time including some specific use-case scenarios.
“We feel we’re up for a rate adjustment as we are adjusting our rates on street parking," Fernstrom said. “So we feel it’s important to align those rates effectively and efficiently.”
The Lehigh Valley’s other major cities appear to be $10-15 cheaper for similar services, but sometimes with incurred costs.
“No parking” signs reserved for metered spaces in Allentown will come with lost revenue charges, according to the Allentown Parking Authority website.
“We feel we’re up for a rate adjustment as we are adjusting our rates on street [parking]. So we feel it’s important to align those rates effectively and efficiently.”Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom
As BPA touts its reserved parking system — Fernstrom even said you may book your sign or bag online “like you would a hotel” — one Easton business owner told Easton City Council this week that meter-bagged spaces are leaving few places for her customers to park.
The Parking Authority out of Reading, Berks County, charges utilities and contractors $25 daily for temporary “no parking” signs — though a city resident needing a space in front of their residential property only pays $1 per day.
General info on reserved parking
Make the wrong move with your reserved parking and end up with a ticket, and/or removal of the "no parking" sign with no refund.
The program behind signs and reserved meters is used “to reserve public parking space(s) that are necessary for construction work, emergency repairs, permitted special events, bus drop off, and for commercial or residential moving trucks,” the BPA website reads.
“Reserved parking spaces are not intended to be used for the parking of vehicles, or vehicles used solely for commuting to job sites.”
“Reserved parking spaces are not intended to be used for the parking of vehicles, or vehicles used solely for commuting to job sites.”Bethlehem Parking Authority website
The program includes all on-street paid public parking zones and Residential Permit Parking zones.
Reserved parking requests are required at least two business days ahead of time for processing. Those two days start the business day after the request submission if it's received after 2 p.m., the BPA website reads.
