Prov Parking App and Parking Enforcement Tech Don’t Mesh - Drivers Who Paid Are Getting Tickets
Friday, December 10, 2021
The Providence parking app called “Passport” is designed to allow you to pay for parking from your smartphone.
“With the Passport Parking App, you no longer have to keep going back to the meter to park in Providence. The Passport Parking App allows you to conveniently pay for parking from anywhere by your mobile device,” says the City of Providence.
Just one problem.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe app is no longer integrated into the City of Providence enforcement office’s technology. The Traffic Enforcement office upgraded the officers' handheld technology but the city did not ensure the two functions were fully integrated before being deployed.
According to city officials, hundreds have been impacted.
Welcome to Providence.
While the city promises that the app "allows you to conveniently pay for parking from anywhere by your mobile device,” visitors and those who work in the city are getting tickets -- when they have already paid.
So the reality is those using the app are getting billed and then getting a ticket.
This is not just a problem for people who work or visit the city from nearby in the region -- it's double trouble for tourists who realistically cannot go to court to fight the de facto double billing.
The company Passport did not respond to the question, why did they not turnoff the app after learning of the integration problem. The company continues to accept payments.
Frustration For Drivers Trying to Park and for the Court
Providence Municipal Court Judge John Lombardi says that they are well aware of the problem and equally frustrated with the technology flaw.
"People are coming in and showing us that they did in fact pay," said Lombardi, who says it has been "going on for a while now."
"We have no choice but to dismiss these kinds of tickets," he added.
"We need some answers to questions about this," said Lombard. "Maybe we need to deduct the amount we’re losing [on the tickets] from the contract -- because hypothetically speaking, this looks like a breach of contract."
"[People are contesting] $20, $30 tickets, and deciding if it’s worth fighting over," said Lombardi of people deciding to take the time to come to court -- or not. "It's definitely an opportunity cost."
The City of Providence did not respond to the request for comment.
This story was first published 12/9/21 12:39 PM This story was updated 12/10/21 at 6:55 AM
