CPA to install parking meter at commuter terminal

The Commonwealth Ports Authority will soon install a meter system at the parking area adjacent to the Saipan commuter terminal, as part of fresh efforts to increase non-aviation revenues.

The proposal also was put forward in line with plans to extend the implementation of the Airline Incentive Program.

Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said four proposals from interested companies have been received by the ports authority for the installation of the automated parking meter system at the commuter terminal.

Quoting a report from CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas, Mr. Palacios said the agency is now at the process of evaluating which among the four proposals would work to the best interest of the agency, and that selection for award is now being evaluated.

The project, according to the CPA official, involves the design, procurement and installation of the automated parking meter system.

In order to address concerns that may be raised by those who frequently travel between the CNMI islands, CPA is planning to institute a measure that would grant unlimited parking access at the area on a fixed annual fee.

Under the proposed program, residents who commute to and from Saipan on a frequent basis may obtain a Frequent Traveler Public Parking Permit from the CPA for an annual fee of about $400.

The permit, which shall allow for unlimited parking, will have to be prominently displayed inside the vehicle dashboard while parked and should be presented to the parking attendant when exiting.

CPA recently completed the installation of an automated parking meter at the Saipan International Airport in efforts to improve efficiency.

Imposition of charges at the airport’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.

With CPA’s decision to delay the implementation of new airport rates, which had been pushed by the agency’s financial consultants, the ports authority was able to arrest possible increase in airline tickets since carriers are likely to pass additional charges to passengers.

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.

The decision was made during the ports authority’s board meeting in February last year where all other fees charged by CPA will be raised on different effective dates.

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.

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

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.