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CPA to install automated parking meter
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Posted on Feb 02 2000
The Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors on Friday approved the installation of an automated parking meter at the Saipan International Airport in efforts to improve efficiency.
The contract for the $177,000 automated parking meter project has been awarded to Sablan Enterprises, according to CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas.
Mr. Salas said the Ports Authority is expecting that the automated parking meters are already installed, and should be ready for full implementation in May.
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 by schedule.
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 ensure registration.
The ports authority is expecting to generate at least $80,000 in additional annual revenues from the collection of parking fees, according to Mr. Salas.
Imposition of parking charges was among CPA’s alternatives to increase revenues in order to meet debt obligation. Aside from this, the ports authority also raised the non-aviation rates such as ground handling and fuel flowage fees.
This was decided following a series of dialogues with key members of the Legislature who had pledged to help CPA secure additional funding before the agency implements its new airport rate schedule in March 2000.
