Haddonfield Today 147_2024May10

09.05.2024 Views
30 | haddonfield.today Parking Survey #2 #147 • MAY 10 TO 31, 2024 Free Parking: Too short? Too long? Just right? › On Mon Apr 1 – no foolin’ – the Haddonfield commissioners announced that they had amended the parking ordinance to provide 10 minutes of free “errand” time at metered parking spaces, townwide. In the April 19 issue of Haddonfield Today, we asked readers a Goldilockstype question: Is 10 minutes too short, too long, or just right? Herewith, their answers. Basis = 200 responses. Q1 › Your home ZIP Code? n Haddonfield = 81% n Elsewhere = 19% Q2 › Do you think 10 minutes is too short, just right, or too long for free “errand” parking in downtown Haddonfield? n Too short = 76.5% n Just right = 23% n Too long = 0.5.% Q3 › Do you think drivers should be able to use the free “errand” parking feature just once a day (per registered vehicle), or more than once a day? n Just once = 18% n More than once = 82% Didn’t it used to be 12 free minutes? › Yes, it did. When parking meters were introduced, in 1970, the fee was five cents for one hour. To park for an hour, drivers would insert a nickel or five pennies. If they inserted one penny (1/5 of a nickel), they’d get 12 minutes (1/5 of an hour). Meters in front of the Post Office were configured to enable drivers to do their business without having to spend a penny. They got 12 minutes for free. These days, Borough officials apparently believe that 10 minutes are enough to run an errand. Survey says: 3 of 4 drivers disagree. If 10 is too short, is “free” worthwhile? › To get 10 minutes of parking for free, you must: • Download the Premium Parking app to your smartphone. • Enter your personal, vehicle, and credit/debit card details. • Use the app to claim 10 minutes for free at the location where you’ve parked. However ... if you already have the app on your smartphone, you can skip the first two steps. The app will send you a text confirming you have 10 minutes for free. It will send you another text when the 10-minute period has expired. If you need additional time to complete your errand, you can get it on the app. It will cost you $1 for one hour, plus a 35 cent fee. But wait ... there’s a Plan B! If you’re concerned that 10 minutes might not be long enough to run your errand, and if you’re near a parking kiosk, shun the 10-minutes-for-free option. Pay at the kiosk instead, using coins. You’ll get an hour for just 50 cents. No need to fool with the app. No need to worry about your free time expiring. And no obnoxious “convenience” fee!

#147 • MAY 10 TO 31, 2024 Parking Survey #2 haddonfield.today | 31 So ... What do you really think? › On Fri Apr 19, we invited Haddonfield Today readers to complete a fivequestion survey about free “errand” parking. Pie charts for the 200 responses received as of 10:51am on Tue May 7 are presented on the facing page. More than 130 respondents recorded comments – about 3 of every 5. They are published below, unedited (typos and all), in the order they were received. _______________________ RESPONSE 002 – It’s an insult to one’s intelligence to be forced into presuming 10 minutes is enough time to accomplished a typical errand. To the borough I say, “Thanks for nothing, except for the insult.” 003 – I believe the previous grace period was 12 minutes. 15 would be reasonable. 005 – 10 minutes is good, you may have two stops so more than once is helpful but not required 007 – I think this solution was perfect 008 – Ten minutes is a joke. You have to wait that long for a coffee regularly. Also you are basically only allowed to run one errand downtown a day now? I can understand a limit on how much free parking, but that should be 2-3 times a day. 009 – While I appreciate the 10 min allowance I feel it should be at minimal 30- 60 minutes, Most parking lots are at least 5-10 minute walk from Kings Highway, Haddon Avenue, Tannor and Merchant Avenue which really do not allow enough time to do business within the 10 minutes. 30 to 60 minutes will allow more time to travel, complete a transaction or tow and return back to the lot. If Haddonfield were to offer and advertise the 1st hour free, I feel this will bring in many more customers from surrounding communities which do not offer this. 011 – Parking is a disater in Haddonfield because the commissioners eliminated all the parking space behind the post office and verizon building. Poor planning for a town that needs additional parking not less. 012 – Free parking should be limited to 30 minutes along haddon ave and kings hwy to allow for turnover… Let longer parking sessions be reserved for the lots. 014 – 2x per day for free, should be able to use the kiosk for free parking, delivery drivers should not be able to use lots or spots in front of businesses 015 – Get rid of the annoying app that, to add insult to injury, charges you on top of the parking fee to use it. 016 – I thought it use to be 12 minutes 017 – 15-20 minutes would be more appropriate. If you are going to be longer than 30 minutes, then I think it is justifiable to charge an hour rate. Or here’s an idea: if you want to nick people for shorter time periods, how about creating 15-30-45 minute fee options, and dump the so-called “service charge,” which at 35 cents an hour is simply legalized theft. It doesn’t cost anyone 35 cents to process these automatic digital charges. 018 – There may be errands both on Kings Hwy and Haddon Ave. S/b able to use more than once. 019 – 10 minutes vs the previous 12 feels like I am being placated, but I will take it over 0 min. Also, what’s with only once per day?? If you are lucky enough to even find a space in town why punish you for being lucky?? 020 – People who live in town should be able to buy a discounted parking pass for town. We pay a lot to live here and the benefits of downtown shopping and dining are a reason we moved here. Parking is becoming a hindrance to going to town. 021 – Ten minutes isn’t long enough to pick up a take out order. 023 – If you dropoff your dog at the groomer, you will need to pick it up two hours later. 024 – Only visit Haddonfield on Sunday since meters removed. Used to visit five times on average each week. Now take all my business - and that is a significant monthly dollar amount especially in dining- elsewhere. You’ve totally defeated the reason for parking meters. Absolutely one of the most boneheaded decisions made. You are now pinching pennies to pay for mounting legal woes. 026 – Sometimes it takes longer than 10 minutes to do a “quick” errand. I would say 15 minutes makes more sense. 027 – Free parking after 6PM should be returned. Restaurants must be losing customers and business that are open on Thursday nights. I moved here in the 1970’s. I have seen Haddonfield go from a sleepy town to a very active, welcoming business town. Now that might just go away. No longer encouraging folks visiting. Tis a shame.

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