Westfield Parking Passes To Undergo Revamp: Mobile Purchases, Possible Rate Increase

WESTFIELD, NJ — Big changes are coming to Westfield's parking pass system that will impact commuters and residents.

Mayor Shelley Brindle detailed the upcoming changes during the Tuesday Town Council meeting.

An amendment to an ordinance regarding parking in certain municipal lots was introduced by the Council that included allowing the Town to charge a daily fee up to $25.

"The not-to-exceed pricing does not reflect the actual price that will ultimately be set, but it provides the council flexibility to make additional changes in subsequent years as needed," said Brindle.

Brindle said the ordinance simply amends the original one which is similar to ones the Town has done when setting memorial pool membership rates, sewer fees, and conservation center pricing.

"It will say not to exceed $25, but I want to reiterate that does not mean it will be $25. I can tell you definitely, it will not be $25 in terms of that. Just for future flexibility on pricing," said Brindle.

Additionally, Brindle announced that online parking permit and pass purchases are coming.

The council previously approved funding for software that will enable parking permits and daily passes to be purchased online.

"That software integration is almost complete. This online permitting capability will provide greater convenience for our commuters, including the ability to purchase daily passes the night before," said Brindle. "So no more running to catch the police officer in the morning in your pajamas to buy a pass and then go back home. Those days will be over, thankfully."

The mobile app also allows the Town the ability to increase the number of daily permits available by selling them in the underutilized Watterson Street lot and adapt the number of daily passes based upon the demand. With more daily passes being available on Mondays and Fridays, for example.

"It just gives us a ton of flexibility to be smarter and more efficient with our parking," said Brindle.

Lastly, Brindle alluded to the possibility of pricing on daily rates increasing.

"The current $5 daily rate has been in place for decades, and we anticipate reviewing the pricing as part of a larger review of our townwide parking and pricing strategy later this summer," said Brindle.

"Our goal is to ensure we’re maximizing the utility of all of our parking lots to serve as many residents as possible as conveniently as possible and to introduce smarter parking strategies as commuting patterns evolve," said Brindle.

Brindle expects to release more information on the mobile app and pricing later this summer.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.