Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Virginia Beach Parking Management was recently named an Accredited Parking Organization (APO), becoming one of the first few in the nation and the very first in Virginia to do so.
APO is a designation for parking organizations that recognizes best practices in responsible parking management, customer service, professional development, safety and security. The International Parking Institute’s (IPI) APO certification recognizes Virginia Beach Parking Management Office for leading the industry, exceeding industry standards and implementing progressive practices.
“Bottom line,” says Parking Manager Robert Fries, “our lots and garages are safer, more secure, customer friendly and better for the environment because we are committed to ongoing evaluation and improvement.”
Achieving the APO designation signifies Virginia Beach’s commitment to public service through ongoing evaluation and improvements to assure Virginia Beach’s public parking facilities are accessible, safe, environmentally responsible, affordable, professionally staffed and promote superior service.
Over the 18-month process of earning accreditation, Virginia Beach Parking Management was evaluated on 270 separate criteria in 14 categories by third-party reviewers. The division was required to validate long-term planning initiatives, show evidence of consistent and acceptable financial performance, document that they are subject to routine audits, affirm that staff members participate in a proactive customer service training program, prove that they are responsive to customer-service feedback and demonstrate passive and active security measures in design and operation among other benchmarks.
It’s a rigorous process and only a small handful of municipal parking operations around the country have earned accreditation. Virginia Beach Parking Services’ successful certification demonstrates a commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
People who park in an accredited facility can be assured that the parking organization adheres to a strict code of ethics and meets national and internationally endorsed standards for professionalism, accountability, safety and performance.
“We embarked on this process to help ensure that we’re offering the best possible services to our citizens and visitors at the most reasonable price possible,” said Robert Fries. “We constantly strive to be responsible and efficient and accreditation helps ensure that we’re accountable for the public dollars we use.”
About Virginia Beach Parking Management
Virginia Beach Parking Management oversees the operation of 8 public garages, 10 surface lots, 780 street spaces and 112 parking services employees throughout the City of Virginia Beach. The Parking Management Office strives to provide convenient, affordable and sustainable parking services that promote superior customer service, support local commerce and benefit residents and visitors. For more information about parking in Virginia Beach, visit VBgov.com/parking.
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