Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority is now responsible for enforcing parking regulations in downtown Chattanooga. This is a move by the city away from traditional police service technicians to a new program by CARTA known as Chattanooga Parking Authority.
Parking “ambassadors” will be on foot and wearing uniforms enforcing parking and meter regulations downtown. They will not only write citations for those individuals that violate parking regulations but also be customer service workers by providing change for meters, offering directions and assisting with parking issues. Hours of enforcement for the approximately 2,100 spaces will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and some weekend times in certain locations.
Individuals have the option of appealing citations online or at the ShuttlePark South location in person. At this location, individuals can utilize independent arbitrators, attorneys that volunteer to hear appeals and have the power to enforce or disregard the citation.
To further reduce illegal long term parking at meters, hospitality workers like restaurant servers will receive deeply discounted parking rates at five downtown parking facilities. CARTA will also be running a free van shuttle hospitality workers can call directly to transport them to the five parking facilities between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Kim White, CEO of River City Company states, “Having Chattanooga Parking Authority become a presence in downtown will produce a positive impact for the city.
Allowing temporary metered spots to be accessible through the day will increase traffic to downtown stores and restaurants by both local Chattanoogans and tourists. This program will help diminish some of the frustrations associated with being in downtown.”
Source: River City Company