Pittsburgh mayor limiting free parking for workers
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh’s newly elected mayor wants to end city employees’ monopoly on free parking.
Mayor Bill Peduto ordered officials to inventory free parking passes issued to employees of the city and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority.
Chief of staff Kevin Acklin said most of the 271 passes the authority issued under former Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are unnecessary, and cost the city about $1 million in lost parking revenue each year.
Some row officers and other officials defended the passes, saying it’s a simpler solution than asking workers to seek reimbursement for what amounts to pocket change when they park in metered spaces while on duty.
The passes issued last year expired Dec. 31 but Peduto wants Chief Operations Officer Guy Costa to develop a policy for their future use – if any – within 30 days.