Sewickley to upgrade its parking system with new meters, mobile pay options

Sewickley officials plan to make upgrade the borough’s parking system.

New Flowbird parking meters are expected to be installed sometime in July.

Motorists will also be able to use its mobile app and the ParkMobile app to pay for parking.

Central business district rates will be $1.50 per hour with no time limit. Rates just outside the business district, known as Zone 2, remain 50 cents an hour and $4 per day with no time limit. The minimum transaction in both areas is 50 cents. A text-to-pay option is also in the works.

Borough manager Donna Kaib said the new system was approved as part of this year’s budget.

Converting to the new system will cost just under $370,000. This includes new meters, setup and installation.

Borough officials started looking into different parking systems in 2020.

Kaib said Flowbird was selected after a thorough search.

“The old system is aging, and it seemed sensible to invest in an upgrade rather than continually footing the bill for repairs,” she said. “It became clear that Flowbird had an outstanding product and track record with over 5,000 customers in more than 75 countries.

“They are the biggest provider of multi space pay-by-plate systems in North America. They count Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Mount Lebanon, Carnegie and many more municipalities among their customers in Pennsylvania.”

Pittsburgh Parking Authority added the Flowbird mobile app and the Meter Feeder app to its options two years ago.

Council president Cynthia Mullins said she is excited about the upgrades.

“The mission of the parking department is to provide an easy-to-use experience that promotes the availability of short term parking in the central business district,” she said. “We will have ambassadors and vendors on hand to help customers through the transition.

“The meters feature state-of-the-art touchscreen technology. The display is larger for better visibility and ease of use. There will be step-by-step onscreen instructions as well as a color-coded map showing parking options. Meters will be more conveniently located. The system is going green with paperless receipts. Coins, credit and debit cards are still accepted. The system will no longer accommodate paper currency.”

Other parking news

The borough is also looking for a part-time parking ambassador.

Applicants must be willing to work 25 hours per week Mondays through Saturdays.

Part of the job includes greeting and assisting patrons at the meters throughout the borough, providing information to the public about the system and parking opportunities as well as writing tickets if necessary, according to the job post on the borough website.

Applications can be submitted to the borough office at 601 Thorn St. between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

More information about the position is available at sewickleyborough.org.