Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 24, 2010
Parking rule changes affect people with disabilities who park at Metro
Metro follows parking rules, regulations in local jurisdictions
Recent changes to parking rules and regulations for metered parking in the region have an impact for people with disabilities who park at Metro parking meters.
Metro follows the parking rules and regulations that are established in the local jurisdictions where the facilities are located. Customers with a disability parking placard or tag are no longer guaranteed free metered parking. Parking rules vary by jurisdiction. Below is a summary of current parking regulations for people with disabilities:
The District of Columbia allows vehicles with disability parking placards or tags from any state to park in any space designated for a person with a disability, to park for double the posted time in metered or time-restricted spaces and to park for free at metered spaces for double the meter time. After double the time, customers must pay the meter rate.
The State of Maryland requires that vehicles with disability tags or placards pay posted parking meter fees if the parking meters meet ADA requirements. All Metro parking meters are ADA compliant, so customers who park at Metro meters in Maryland must pay the posted parking meter fee. Accessible parking spaces are reserved in all Kiss & Ride and Park & Ride lots.
The Commonwealth of Virginia allows vehicles with a displayed disability tag or placard to park for up to four hours in metered spaces without paying a fee unless prohibited by the locality. Parking meter fees must be paid after four hours.
Fairfax County allows vehicles with a displayed disability tag or placard to park for up to four hours in metered spaces without paying a fee. Parking meter fees must be paid after four hours.
Arlington County does not allow free parking in metered spaces. Arlington County distributes in-vehicle parking regulators for a fee that allow people with disabilities to pre-pay for parking and to park for double the amount of time in certain short-term parking meter zones. For more information, contact Arlington County at 703-228-3000 or go to www.arlingtonva.us.
For the most up-to-date information about parking regulations in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, customers should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the appropriate state or jurisdiction.
Metro operates parking facilities at 42 Metrorail stations and all Metro parking meters meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more information about parking at Metro parking facilities, please visit http://www.wmata.com/rail/parking.
News release issued at 9:56 am, May 24, 2010.