PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 The City of Phoenix confirms between 300 and 500 parking meters are broken. Drivers touch the buttons on parking meters, but the screens stay dark. The city said it is aware of the issue and working to fix it, but there is no timeframe for when repairs will be completed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to park downtown is a little complicated,\u201d said Imani Glover.<\/p>\n
Martin Flores said parking downtown is \u201cjust very crowded, very strict.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin Savage encountered the problem firsthand when he pulled into a spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI pulled up and you can\u2019t read anything on this,\u201d Savage said. \u201cI guess there is a phone number to call and there is a coin slot, which I don\u2019t know if I have the coins in there or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Battery shortage delays repairs<\/p>\n
The city confirmed the issue is the battery and that the meters are under warranty. An ongoing battery shortage is complicating efforts to replace them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say the system is broken and they\u2019re losing a lot of money because that\u2019s the whole purpose of the parking meter, right?\u201d Savage said. \u201cI wonder if I\u2019ll be on Medicare when that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city is directing drivers who find broken meters to pay on the mobile app or online. Parking enforcement can see who has paid and who has not.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s Family Investigates asked drivers if that\u2019s what they\u2019re doing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI stay in the spot and then we just kind of monitor the park,\u201d Glover said.<\/p>\n
Samantha Schmitt said, \u201cSometimes I will stay in the spot if I know I\u2019m not going to be there for long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Savage questioned the city\u2019s solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want you to go online and pay it that way? Where does it say that on here,\u201d he said pointing to the actual meter.<\/p>\n
Tickets still possible despite broken meters<\/p>\n
In response to our questions, they sent the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City of Phoenix is aware of a recent battery issue impacting some downtown parking meters, causing them to malfunction. Street Transportation staff is actively identifying and replacing batteries in affected meters as they conduct regular collections and maintenance.<\/p>\n
Under Phoenix City Code \u00a7 36-154, drivers are responsible for ensuring payment is made and that the meter is functioning properly while parked in a metered space. The ordinance does not provide exceptions for broken or malfunctioning parking meters. If a meter is not operational, drivers are encouraged to move to another available metered space or utilize nearby parking options.<\/p>\n
Anyone who encounters a malfunctioning meter can report it by calling 602-261-8090 or emailing parking.meters@phoenix.gov.”<\/p>\n
Savage said he decided to leave the spot rather than risk a ticket.<\/p>\n
Whether parking enforcement is actually ticketing drivers at broken meters is unclear. <\/p>\n
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