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City Council Signs Off On Proposals For Parking Incentives

By Jenna Carlesso

October 13, 2010

The Hartford Parking Authority is moving forward with plans for three new incentive programs, after the city council approved the proposals on Tuesday.

The programs are designed to attract new parkers to its three garages and give regular customers a break. The authority has proposed a loyalty program that awards patrons a free parking day for every three paid parking days; a refer-a-friend program in which monthly parkers would get a free month of parking for referring a friend who signs up for a three-month pass; and five free parking days for everyone who visits the city.

"We're pleased the council approved the programs," said Mark McGovern, chief executive officer of the Hartford Parking Authority. "We look forward to launching them."

The loyalty and refer-a-friend programs will take effect on or close to Nov. 1, he said. Patrons who use the loyalty program will display a reward card each time they park. On the fourth visit, parking is free. The cards will be distributed at downtown businesses, though it's not yet clear which businesses will carry the cards, McGovern said.

Under the refer-a-friend program, patrons who advise a friend to sign up for three months of parking at the Morgan Street garage will receive a month of free parking at any of the company's three garages. The Hartford Parking Authority operates the Morgan Street garage and two additional garages on Church Street.

The parking authority is still trying to determine which days it will designate as free parking days. The company is eyeing the day after Thanksgiving to be the first of the five, McGovern said.

"Our board will need to approve each free parking day before we can go forward," he said. The board will meeti today to discuss the matter.

Updates on the free parking days will be posted on the company's website, hartfordparking.com, as they become available, McGovern said.