Pittsburgh won't charge people to park on the street after 6 p.m. because new card-reading meters are generating 20 to 25 percent more revenue than the old coin-only ones, council members decided unanimously on Tuesday.

Enforcement would have expanded to 10 p.m. under previous legislation that would have taken effect on Monday. Council had wanted increased enforcement to offset a loss of parking tax revenue that is being used to bolster employee pension funds.

Councilman Corey O'Connor, who sponsored legislation ending enforcement at 6 p.m., said the cut-off helps city businesses compete with suburban shopping centers and malls that offer free parking.

“I think it's also good for the resident,” O'Connor said. “They can go to their favorite shop or restaurant without worrying about getting a ticket.”

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority last year began replacing old meters with new ones that take credit cards. That has increased meter revenue, said David Onorato, executive director of the Parking Authority.

The authority projected $7.8 million in meter revenue last year, according to its budget. Onorato said receipts were up 20 to 25 percent in the first quarter of 2013 over the same period in 2012.

But the workload for enforcement officers remains the same, Onorato said. He said the authority maintains a full complement of about 40 officers, who must enter each vehicle license number to see if time on a meter has expired.

“We still have the same number of cars to enforce,” he said.

Council in 2010 avoided state takeover of employee pension funds by dedicating $735 million over 30 years to the funds. To offset the loss, council increased meter rates $1 to $3 an hour, asked the authority for more money as a payment in lieu of taxes and intended to increase enforcement hours.

Councilman Bill Peduto said the authority has not turned over all the additional meter revenue that council wants.

Mayoral spokeswoman Stephanie Sikora said the city received $2.6 million from the Pittsburgh Parking Authority last year, including meter revenue. O'Connor said the legislation to roll back the extension won't substantially hurt the city.

Bob Bauder is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-765-2312 or bbauder@tribweb.com.

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