Reduce the demand for downtown parking in Portsmouth

March 23 2015

One proven strategy that could help alleviate some of the pressure on Portsmouth’s existing parking resources is to manage the demand for parking. Carpooling, taking the bus, bicycling, walking, and teleworking are options that have been successfully used across the country to lessen the demand for parking.

By using sustainable modes of transportation, commuters will put money in their pockets and reduce vehicle wear and tear, especially due to the many newly sprouted potholes! Instead of driving and getting stuck in traffic congestion on the Little Bay Bridge or Route 33, commuters can relax, read, catch up on work, text, or enjoy a conversation while commuting.

Doesn’t it make sense to re-think our commute, especially with this challenging winter weather? Fewer on-street parking spaces, car accidents, and driving white-knuckled through the recurring snowy conditions have created a commuting nightmare.

Consider trying a smart commuting mode, even if it’s just once or twice a week. If everyone carpooled, used transit, bicycled, walked, or worked from home just one day a week, the demand for parking could be reduced by as much as 20 percent.