The SFMTA debuts SFpark garage availability texting service
Posted on 09.15.11 in Apps, Garages, Press Releases | Share:
The SFMTA Debuts SFpark Garage Availability Texting Service
SFpark garages implementing demand-responsive pricing
SAN FRANCISCO (September 15, 2011) —The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the City, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), today launched a text message service for SFpark garages. Customers can receive parking availability and pricing information for the 14 SFpark garages, along with garage locations and hours of operation. Regular text messaging rates apply. To get started, customers can text “SFpark” to 877-877. Detailed service instructions are at SFpark.org/garages.
“The text message service expands SFpark’s parking availability and pricing information to people without smart phones or easy internet access. It brings this important information to as many people as possible,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee.
The SFMTA has implemented demand-responsive pricing to eight SFpark garages, with six more planned for the coming months. Since the SFpark approach is based on parking occupancy, City-owned garages that are underutilized will see many rates go down. Rates in these garages vary by time of day and are adjusted quarterly based on occupancy. Customers who park by the hour can also receive an “off-peak discount” if they arrive before 7:30 a.m. or depart after 7 p.m. For example, the Fifth & Mission Garage rates fell from $3.50 to $3.00 per hour before noon and after 6:00pm because spaces were available This encourages people to drive when there is less traffic, easing congestion and clearing the streets so that Muni can move faster and more reliably during peak times. The SFpark garage pricing policy is posted at SFpark.org/pricing.
“We are working to combine technologies to not only improve parking, but to improve how we communicate with our customers,” said Edward D. Reiskin, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “These programs will not only provide enhanced convenience and less congestion and pollution associated with one’s search for parking, but also allows us to optimize the use of our parking facilities.”
The SFMTA is upgrading SFpark garages with new signage, paint and lighting. Moscone Center and Lombard Street garages are complete and the rest are slated for later this year.
SFpark Garages
| Garage | Address | Demand-Responsive Pricing | Text Code |
| 16th & Hoff | 30 Hoff Street | Yes | 16TH |
| Civic Center | 355 McAllister Street | Yes | CVC |
| Ellis-O’Farrell | 123 O’Farrell Street | Yes | EOF |
| Fifth & Mission | 833 Mission Street | Yes | 5TH |
| Golden Gateway | 250 Clay Street | Upcoming | GNG |
| Japan Center and Annex | 1610 Geary Blvd. and 1650 Fillmore St. | Yes | JPN and JPX |
| Lombard Street | 2055 Lombard Street | Yes | LOM |
| Mission-Bartlett | 3255 21st Street | Yes | MSB |
| Moscone Center | 255 Third Street | Yes | MSC |
| Performing Arts | 360 Grove Street | Upcoming | PFA |
| Portsmouth Square | 733 Kearny Street | Upcoming | PSQ |
| St. Mary’s Square | 433 Kearny Street | Upcoming | MRY |
| Sutter-Stockton | 444 Stockton Street | Upcoming | SUT |
| Union Square | 333 Post Street | Upcoming |
USQ |
###
Established by voter proposition in 1999, the SFMTA, a department of the City and County of San Francisco, oversees the Municipal Railway (Muni), parking and traffic, bicycling, walking and taxis. With five modes of transit, Muni has approximately 700,000 passenger boardings each day. Over 35,000 extra vehicles enter San Francisco on any given business day, and rely on the SFMTA to keep the flow of cars, transit vehicles, taxis, delivery trucks, pedestrians and bicycles moving smoothly through the streets.
Posted on 09.15.11 in Apps, Garages, Press Releases | Share:
