CPA’s paid parking program draws criticism

The decision by the Commonwealth Ports Authority to impose parking charges at the Puerto Rico seaport received disapproval from the public especially motorists who regularly do business at the harbor, in what appears to be a manifestation that the CNMI is still reeling from hard economic times.

But CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas the newly-implemented paid parking system at the Saipan seaport is has been anticipated to solicit mixed reactions from the public since it would entail additional expense on their part.

“In the long term, they will realize the merits of the paid parking scheme because their vehicles will be highly secured and should be free from vandalism that we used to have here on the island,” Mr. Salas said.

He added that the paid parking is expected to help the ports authority replenish its depleting coffers that may be used as an additional source of income to pay for the agency’s existing bond.

“It will help generate money for our revenue bonds, which is basically what we used to carry out the Saipan International Harbor Project,” according to the CPA official.

CPA earlier eyed the possibility of transferring the administration and management of its paid public parking facilities at the Saipan International Airport and the Puerto Rico seaport to a private company.

CPA board members are, however, concerned that privatizing the public parking at the international air and sea transport facilities would reduce the agency’s revenues, which started stabilizing when the ports authority implemented new airport and seaport fees, including the imposition of parking fees.

According to Mr. Salas, CPA management will initially look at whether transferring the management of the facilities to a private company would be more profitable for the agency.

CPA has completed the installation of the $177,000 automated parking meter at the Saipan International Airport and the Puerto Rico harbor in efforts to improve efficiency.

Imposition of charges at the airport’s and seaport’s public parking area was decided to increase current level of CPA revenues while repressing adverse effects on the airline industry by delaying the implementation of new aviation rate schedule.

CPA started charging car owners who would use the public parking area at the Saipan International Airport a dollar per hour as part of the agency’s efforts to increase revenues last July 1, 1999.

Some $8,000 to $9,000 in additional revenue is generated by the Ports each month from the charges it impose for the use of its public parking facilities at the airport and at the harbor.

The ports authority is expecting to generate at least $80,000 in additional annual revenues from the collection of parking fee.

The ports authority would be charging $10 for a 24-hour use of the parking area per car, while holders of lost tickets will be charged $10. CPA has designated only one entry and exit points for the airport parking area to facilitate registration.

Imposition of parking charges was among CPA’s alternative to increasing revenues in order to meet debt obligation. Aside from it, the ports authority also reduced manpower hours, raised non-aviation rates such as ground handling and fuel flowage fees.