CPA activates automated parking system

In efforts to improve efficiency and provide convenience to motorists, the Commonwealth Ports Authority started implementing the automated parking system at the Saipan International Airport yesterday, at least five months after the Board of Directors approved its installation January.

Under the newly activated automated public parking system, motorists may enter or exit at the newly constructed booth at the west side of the area. Public vehicles may also enter the parking lot from the road leading to the arrival area.

CPA officials said the new system will improve the accurate assessment of parking fees, cut the agency’s operating expenses and reduce the amount of time spent by motorists waiting to enter the parking lot.

The system allows motorists to take a parking ticket from the automated parking machine as they enter the area, return it to the attendant and make the necessary payment as they exit the parking lot.

CPA coughed up $177,000 for the installation of the automated parking meter.

The contract for this project was awarded to Sablan Enterprises, according to CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios.

Ports Authority officials have originally expected that the automated parking meters are already installed, and should be ready for full implementation by May 2000.

CPA moved to impose charges at the airport’s public parking area in desperate efforts to increase the level of revenues generated by the agency, while repressing adverse effects on the airline industry by delaying the implementation of new aviation rate schedule from October 1999 to March this year.

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.

This was decided following a series of dialogues with key members of the Legislature who actually pledged to help CPA secure additional funding before the agency implements its new airport rate schedule in March 2000.