What ARE you thinking, City of RB?? Before the current parking meters were installed during the upgrade to Rehoboth Avenue, seems to me most area residents…and more than a few half-year residents, offered umpteen suggestions with regards to those meters. In the median, for instance, a type similar to what we have in the Convention Centre parking lot; a style which would accept credit cards was another, meters that would spit out a receipt, ticket, something. But, nooooo…we get what we now have and have had for, what…two, three years? And they have been beset with problems. You might be surprised at the number of visitors who don’t know how to determine their parking space, for instance…and, working in town, I couldn’t tell you how many I’ve actually taken outside my place of business to show them, help them. Not that I mind…but isn’t it your job to have something in place so people know to look BEHIND their cars to find their numbered space so they can plug the meters appropriately…like and instruction poster, somewhere? You probably also have little idea of how many people, then, blithely put in their quarters only to find, when they return to recharge, they have a parking ticket. Time without number I’ve gone to replug my meter and found I have two ‘free’ hours left. Why? Because some poor soul paid for mine thinking they paid for their own. They can prove nothing and I can’t help because…nobody gets anything to prove they even put their quarters in (or didn’t, yet)! And then we have several machines on a daily basis which just flat don’t want your quarters or don’t work in some fashion. I’ve personally had such problems, called the meter dept. and been told to catch a meter person and let them know. Right…in the middle of the Avenue, high summer, high season, barely able to count on a lunch break and I’m supposed to leave my job to “catch a meter person”? Yet, if I don’t, I get a ticket because…do they check when they see a meter “expired” before hitting us up for a fine? And, no…these are NOT rare or occasional difficulties…oh, I almost forgot another. Change machines which either aren’t working or run out of change.
NOW I hear a few minutes ago the parking rates are likely to go up again to offset the cost of new meters taking credit cards. Why wasn’t this done three years ago…no, not the increase because when we got the new meters and the new look, the rates already went up…but ever heard of killing two birds with one stone? I heard the ‘excuses’ for not applying credit card facilitation at that time and they didn’t make sense then. How is it they do now, to you? And then to extend the parking season by two weeks more. The businesses in RB are correct…I don’t think there is a local or a regular visitor to town who doesn’t eagerly anticipate the end of parking meter season, who doesn’t say “No…it’s rare I come to town until after the meters are off…can’t wait”. And businesses ARE going to be hurt this new move.
Nothing like conducting city business bass-ackwards…and I still think we ought to have had a parking garage servicing the city, workers and visitors alike a very long time ago. These meters are your problem and seems to me the cost of replacing them after the fact is yours also.
You tell ‘em Nance!!! Bethany Beach will be going through a similar process soon too, if not this year, next. Yes it is mind boggling how long it takes town councils to make the wrong decision on local issues. We wouldn’t mind the wait if it were the correct decision, but it is inevitably the wrong one, and for such, what I consider, basic stuff. We’re not talking about building a nuclear power plant in the center of these towns, just let’s get the meters and parking straightened out! I’m beginning to think Delaware’s motto should be changed from “The First State”, to the “Do over”, state. Meters, Bridges, etc, seem to need several attempts before they are set right.
Hi Nancy,
I have to work in Rehoboth Beach on occasion. I can see your frustration. The whole parking meter thing is well, you know…..
Parking appears to be a major problem worldwide.
I live in Scotland and it is practically impossible to find a parking space on this planet?
Seems to me the only way to enable anyone to park their car is to be at the appointed car park at 6 am in the morning.
The biggest problem I have found is parking at our local hospital.
They charge for staff. patients and visitors alike. Not too much of a problem but finding a space to actually park your car is nother matter.
The care parks are always full, people have to drive round and round to actually find a space, if that is possible.
If you have an appointment at the hospital, then it is better to start your journey one hour ahead of time. That way, you might just get a space.
If you are lucky enough to find a space, the walk is miles from the hospital.
Not good enough for sick people, staff or visitors.
On top of that, if you run over your time with your parking ticket, then you pay a penalty. Fined £50.
No wonder the hospital is full. Makes you ill just trying to get a parking space.
LOL…good one, Annied (makes you ill, fills hospital!). Now, when your time limit is up, can you just renew your parking fee for the same space or have to move? What happens if you arrive there early, get a space but your appt. runs late or over…you still get fined or what?
Seems to me, given the panic here over going to a universal health care system, parking would be the worst of it, not the care given!
for maat45
Yes, if you over run your time at the hospital, then it is tough on you drivers. Get fined, and there are Wardens to enforce parking times too. Cameras have been installed and if someone kindly offers you their ticket as they still have tim to run on it, if you are caught on camera accepting it, tough. You are also fined for that too. No wonder people say the hospital has become too large for it’s own good.
Very good teaching hospital, but 33 miles of corridor inside is enough to make you one of their patients, not to mention the lack of parking.