ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Royal Oak drivers frustrated by parking challenges may soon see changes, but free parking is not on the horizon.
The city is expected to decide Monday night (July 14) on a new agreement for parking pay stations and mobile payment options.
Update: Royal Oak approves new parking system to replace error-prone cameras
After years of complaints, Royal Oak officials hope to approve a contract that could replace the current system, which has drawn criticism for glitches and inaccurate ticketing.
Local 4 spoke with drivers about the parking struggles they face daily.
“It’s a mess,” said one driver. “There’s a lot of street parking, and you can’t really fit a lot of places, so it’s a little frustrating trying to find a spot.”
Parking problems in Royal Oak have been ongoing. Some drivers say parking structures are too far from popular areas, while others complain about backup parking on Washington Street.
The parking meters themselves have also been a source of frustration.
“Whenever we go out to eat as a family, I’m constantly checking the app to make sure I don’t get a ticket,” said a local woman. “Those cameras automatically take pictures of your vehicle.”
Since 2021, the city has partnered with Municipal Parking Services, which uses the Sentry Mobil parking system.
Instead of parking enforcement officers, cameras photograph license plates, and tickets are mailed to violators.
However, technical glitches have led to thousands of incorrect tickets.
“I got a ticket two weeks ago,” one driver said. “The meters sometimes tell you how much time is left, so it can be confusing. It’s just kind of up and down.”
Last year, Royal Oak sued Municipal Parking Services over contract breaches related to these glitches.
The case was settled, but the city is now seeking a new operator.
The current contract ends at the end of this year, 15 months earlier than planned.
The city commission meeting will address this long-standing issue Monday night.
“Just make it easier,” said one resident. “We live in Royal Oak, we love Royal Oak. We used to visit here before we moved. Just make it easier, more accessible.”
The city is considering a pay station system similar to Detroit’s, which would include a mobile and text-to-pay app.
If approved, officials want community input on enforcement and garage system improvements.
