NYC Parking Meter Scam Alert: QR Codes Don’t Belong, Don’t Pay Using Them; Flatbush Ave Redesign: NYC DOT

NYC DOT ISSUES PARKING METER SCAM ADVISORY

Scammers Post at Least One QR Code on a Parking Meter That Directs Users to a Third Party Website To Input Payment Information

Secure Payments Can Only Be Made Through the ParkNYC App or With a Credit Card

New Yorkers Should Report These Fraudulent QR Codes if They See Them, Contact NYC DOT To Report the Location, and Reach Out to Their Credit Card Company or Bank To Address Concerns About Payment Information

Editor’s note: We’ve previously covered the podcast guest who discussed the high cost to cities of free parking, instead advising maximizing revenue by providing only metered parking options and garages. In addition, studies in New York have found that the most parking tickets for blocking a hydrant are given within 7 feet of a fire hydrant. In addition,there are some differences in parking regulations between New Jersey and New York City that you should know about if you visit towns there.  We recently shared info about the Pershing Square redesign recently undertaken by DOT. 

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez issued a consumer alert to notify New Yorkers about a parking meter scam targeting users of ParkNYC meters. At least one fraudulent sticker with a QR code was illegally placed on the side of a meter to direct users to a third-party webpage asking for credit card information. These QR codes are fraudulent, and users should not scan or share payment information through the link. The only way to pay for metered parking in New York City is through the official ParkNYC app or on a physical ParkNYC parking meter.

This fraudulent QR Code was spotted on a ParkNYC Meter (Via Reddit User). Image Credit – NYC DOT

NYC DOT has taken aggressive action to address this scam:

• ParkNYC users will receive an in-app notification about this scam and proper payment methods for metered parking. NYC DOT has notified law enforcement.
• NYC DOT has begun a citywide inspection of all parking meters to remove any illegally placed messaging or markings.
• NYC DOT has set-up a method for New Yorkers to report QR codes they see on parking meters:
  • If you see a QR code sticker on a parking meter, please report it by contacting ParkNYC at 212-839-7100 or via email at [email protected]
  • If you believe you were victimized by the scam, contact your bank or credit card company and notify law enforcement.

“Consumers beware: scammers are targeting parking meters, and we want you to be vigilant. If you see a QR code on a parking meter, do not scan it and please report it,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This is a scam to collect your payment information, and we are working with law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.”

If you see a QR code on a parking meter:

• Tear it off and contact ParkNYC at 212-839-7100 or via email at [email protected]

If you believe you are a victim of this scam:

• Notify your bank or credit card company to inform them of this fraudulent charge.
• Report this crime to law enforcement.
• Report the parking meter location to ParkNYC at 212-839-7100 or via email at [email protected]

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES FLATBUSH AVENUE BUS LANES TO SPEED UP COMMUTES FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS 

Proposal Would Make Commutes Faster and More Reliable for 69,000 Daily Riders—Primarily Low-Income Commuters of Color 

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Redesign Aims to Also Enhance Safety On One of Brooklyn’s Most Dangerous Corridors And Improve Air Quality Through Reduced Traffic 

A rendering of NYC DOT’s Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal at Flatbush Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Image Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced today proposed plans for new bus lanes on a portion of Flatbush Avenue, in Brooklyn, to make commutes faster and more reliable for 69,000 daily commuters while improving air quality and enhancing safety for everyone on one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors. The proposal for bus lanes from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza follows a robust traffic analysis that shows the project would significantly reduce cut-through traffic on Flatbush Avenue.

“Right now, Flatbush Avenue above Prospect Park doesn’t work for anyone: almost 70,000 daily bus riders are stuck waiting too long for slow buses, drivers are caught in a mess of traffic, and pedestrians are left crossing intersections clogged with vehicles,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Our proposal would address each of these issues and create a world-class, welcoming corridor for everyone. We look forward to refining this proposal closely with the community before implementation.”

“Creating center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue will increase bus speeds while bringing much-needed safety improvements to one of the city’s most dangerous traffic corridors,” said MTA NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow. “This plan will drastically improve the commute times for the tens of thousands of daily riders who live on Flatbush Avenue – many of whom rely on public transportation to get to work. We look forward to working with the DOT on this ambitious project.”

NYC DOT on Thursday evening presented the proposal to Brooklyn Community Board 2. More community board presentations are to come.

Helping Working-Class New Yorkers

Nearly 60 percent of the households along Flatbush Avenue have no access to a personal vehicle. A Pratt Center Study found buses along Flatbush primarily serve Black, female, and low-income riders. The majority of these riders live in the zip codes around Flatbush and have household incomes of less than $80,000 a year. The majority of riders complained of long waits in extreme weather and one out of three riders reported being fired, reprimanded, or lost pay at work due to bus-related delays.

A rendering of NYC DOT’s Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal at Flatbush Avenue and Prospect Place. Image Credit: NYC DOT

Bus and Safety Challenges

The full Flatbush Avenue is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, meaning it is one of the most dangerous streets in Brooklyn, with 55 people killed or severely injured since 2019.

NYC DOT is proposing bus lanes on the northern section of the avenue, from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza, where bus service is currently the slowest. Serving nearly 70,000 daily riders across 6 bus routes, bus riders on Flatbush Avenue currently experience bus speeds slower than 4 miles per hour at rush hours—about the same speed as a pedestrian walking the corridor.

Flatbush Bus Lane Proposal

NYC DOT is proposing center-running bus lanes for Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza, with new pedestrian spaces to improve traffic safety and reduce pedestrian crossing times. The proposal will also adjust curb regulations to better support local businesses’ delivery needs.

A rendering of NYC DOT’s Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal at Flatbush Avenue and Park Place. Credit: NYC DOT

The agency recommends center-running lanes as the best option to dramatically increase bus speeds by creating physically separated spaces for buses and reducing conflicts with personal vehicles traveling the corridor. This design will allow Flatbush Avenue to move more people more efficiently than it does today.

With center-running lanes, NYC DOT would install concrete bus boarding islands in the street to provide safe spaces for pedestrians to board, disembark, and wait to cross the street. The boarding islands would create a train-like service experience for riders while reducing instances of speeding drivers.

Based on an extensive traffic analysis and experience from previous projects, NYC DOT expects the redesign would reduce traffic volume on Flatbush Avenue, create a welcoming corridor for pedestrians and bus riders.

NYC DOT will be continuing community engagement throughout the spring and encourages feedback from residents, businesses, and commuters.

Banner Image:  This fraudulent QR Code was spotted on a ParkNYC Meter (Via Reddit User). Image Credit – NYC DOT