Description:
The Department of Transportation of Portland, Oregon has increased the cost of parking at city parking meters by $0.20 per transaction to both send a signal to the public about the costs of driving, and to generate funds to be invested in expanding transportation affordability programs. The fee was implemented July 1, 2022. Portland estimates that the new on-street parking fee will generate about $2 million per year, and it will go toward programs that encourage people to walk, bike and take transit. Further rate increases for parking in Portland are contemplated for 2023.
Goal:
- Generate revenue to fund alternatives to personal vehicle use, including bike and pedestrian safety infrastructure.
- Send a price signal about the externalized costs of parking and driving.
- Subsidize transportation costs for low income residents.
Measurement:
- Revenue generated for transit and non-auto travel options
- Reductions in vehicle use (vehicle miles traveled)
Time to Implement:
The idea was first advanced by the POEM (Pricing Options for Equitable Mobility) Task Force in early 2021, and took effect on July 1, 2022.
Links:
Parking Climate and Equitable Mobility Transaction Fee
https://www.portland.gov/transportation/equitable-mobility-taskforce/transaction-fee-overview
Pricing Options for Equitable Mobility Task Force
https://www.portland.gov/transportation/equitable-mobility-taskforce?_ga=2.18369401.1521957040.1661806113-1519792496.1661806113&_gl=1*1wilh8e*_ga*MTUxOTc5MjQ5Ni4xNjYxODA2MTEz*_ga_LH28Y7114F*MTY2MTgwNjExMy4xLjEuMTY2MTgwNjQ3Ni4wLjAuMA…
Pricing Options for Equitable Mobility (POEM)
https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/pricing-options-equitable-mobility-poem
Pricing Options for Equitable Mobility – Final Report (2021)
https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2021/poem_final_report.pdf
Additional Information:
Portland launches new revenue strategy with passage of ‘climate and equitable mobility’ parking fee
https://bikeportland.org/2022/03/09/portland-launches-new-revenue-strategy-with-passage-of-climate-and-equitable-mobility-parking-fee-349871
The hidden climate costs of America’s free parking spaces
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/05/us-free-parking-spaces-climate-cost
Portland Acts on Climate, Equity with Parking Fee
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/elizabeth-stampe/portland-acts-climate-equity-parking-fee
Portland to Raise Parking Fees to Recoup Revenue and Disincentivize Driving
https://www.portlandmercury.com/news/2022/03/03/38872084/portland-to-raise-parking-fees-to-recoup-revenue-and-disincentivize-driving
Contact Info:
Shoshana Cohen
Project Manager, POEM
Portland Bureau of Transportation
(503) 823-4466
Emma Sagor
Climate Advisor, American Cities Climate Challenge
Portland Bureau of Transportation
(503) 823-1530