<p>Parking fees at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport will soon see a new automated system in place of the familiar envelope-on-the-windshield system that Islanders have long used.</p>
Parking fees at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport will soon see a new automated system in place of the familiar envelope-on-the-windshield system that Islanders have long used.
And while the fees will stay the same for year-round residents (the first six hours for free, then $10 daily), beginning next month nonresidents will pay more to park at the airport.
For nonresidents, the first three hours of parking will be free; after that the rate will be $12 for three to five hours, $15 daily in the off-season and $20 daily in summer.
The new fees were recommended by LAZ Parking, a group hired by the airport commission to manage ground transportation at the Island's only commercial airport.
“We want to make the airport more revenue,” Mike Mihalow, director of business development for LAZ, told the commission at its meeting last Thursday. He said rates at the Nantucket and Barnstable airports were studied for comparison.
Annual parking permits will still cost $500 for vehicles registered on the Island, but will go up to $1,500 for vehicles registered in Massachusetts. Vehicles registered out of state will also see a higher fee of $1,750 for annual parking permits.
“We were very delicate in doing these rates to cause the fewest ripples,” said Mr. Mihalow. “We don’t want to be too aggressive right off the bat.”
The new parking system is expected to be in place by next month, and will include automated gates where drivers take a card when entering and pay a fee upon exiting. The old system of cash, check or credit card will be replaced with a credit card-only system.
Commission member Clarence A. (Trip) Barnes 3rd said he thought the commission might be moving too fast on the changes.
“I don’t feel like we’ve really done justice on this,” said Mr. Barnes.
“We have a lot of flexibility to change things,” responded commission member Robert Rosenbaum.
In other business, the commission awarded a $679,000 contract to McFarland Johnson for a repaving project on the main runway set to begin next fall and run through the winter.
Airport manager Ann Richart said the runway work is overdue, but could prove inconvenient for air traffic at times.
“We’re going to have to suffer a little bit,” she said.
Comments
Typical Island mentality.
deshandra brown EdgTypical Island mentality. Stick it to the non-residents that already shoulder the majority of the tax burden on the Island. "Biting the hand that feeds you' has unintended consequences. Perhaps if the airport needs revenue, they could do a better job of collecting rent from delinquent tenants in the business park.
I'm not worried about the
Jason VHI'm not worried about the burden on non-residents. Sorry. And I don't believe any non-resident will bite anyone's hand. If you are a non-resident and park at the airport you can afford the increase. I'd rather see increased fees like this than burdening airport businesses with outrageous water usage fees.
They also could save more
Bob EdgartownThey also could save more money by staying out of court!!!How much tax payer money has been wasted by this dysfunctional group?
Wow.. that's quite a change
gina Menemsha/nycWow.. that's quite a change of operating the parking lot.. Part of the appeal of MVY was that it still had subtle idiosyncransies that made it attractive.. While I agree the parking rules could be improved , the Airport Commission decision is really disheartening.. & why agree w/ this firms new rates w/ so little debate?? Agree on biting the hand comment..
As a caretaker on the island
Oldtimer ChilmarkAs a caretaker on the island I’ve dealt with on and off island and out of state vehicles parking there. The different rate structure has been in place for many many years. The regular non-sticker parking has been on the honor system which has been from what I’ve seen abused by everyone. I suggest people educate themselves first before making blind comments on any issue.
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