THE Commonwealth Ports Authority wants to lift the 15-minute parking grace period extended to motorists offloading and loading passengers inside the Saipan seaport.
CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the implementation of the grace period has drastically affected the seaport’s revenue.
“We are asking the board to cancel it because it affects our ability to pay for our operations and other financial obligations,” Salas said.
He said the free 15-minute parking reduced the port’s annual parking revenue by half.
Saipan seaport used to earn $70,000 to $80,000 annual revenue from parking fees.
“Now it’s down by half,” Salas said in an interview.
The CPA board reimposed last year the 15-minute grace period amid calls from the public to lower the rates especially for motorists picking up or dropping off passengers.
CPA first implemented the grace period in 2000, but it was canceled following findings that the agency was losing money.
When it was re-implemented last year, Salas said it would closely monitor its effect on the agency’s operations.
CPA used to collect $1 from each motorist entering the seaport. The same amount was charged for every hour of stay inside the port.
