Pittsburgh Parking Authority's Ticket-by-Mail Program Sees Surge in Fines

Enforcement technology leads to more tickets and revenue, but officials say the goal is compliance, not profit.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Parking Authority's deployment of license plate scanners and cameras has resulted in a significant increase in parking tickets issued and fines collected over the past year. The authority issued over 310,000 tickets in 2025, up from 244,000 the previous year, leading to a $2 million jump in enforcement revenues to $11.9 million. Officials say the goal is to improve safety and compliance, not generate profit, but the technology is continuing to expand across the city.

Why it matters

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority's aggressive enforcement tactics using new technology have sparked concerns about privacy, fairness, and the role of government in regulating public spaces. While the authority claims the goal is safety, the dramatic rise in tickets and revenue has led some to question whether profit motives are also at play.

The details

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority has invested millions in license plate scanners mounted on enforcement vehicles and cameras over bike lanes and loading zones. These systems automatically detect when vehicles are parked illegally, even for brief periods, and issue tickets that are then mailed to the registered owners. In the past year, the number of tickets issued has risen by over 66,000 to 310,000, leading to a $2 million increase in enforcement revenues to $11.9 million.

  • In 2025, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority issued over 310,000 parking tickets.
  • In 2024, the authority issued 244,000 parking tickets.

The players

Pittsburgh Parking Authority

The government agency responsible for parking enforcement and management in the city of Pittsburgh.

Dave Onorato

A spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Parking Authority who defended the authority's enforcement tactics as necessary for public safety.

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What they’re saying

“We've heard a lot from bike riders that's a big concern of theirs. The safety intermixing bikes and vehicles is not a good thing in their minds. So, we're enforcing that.”

— Dave Onorato, Pittsburgh Parking Authority (cbsnews.com)

“We want to see compliance go up and tickets go down.”

— Dave Onorato, Pittsburgh Parking Authority (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority has plans to expand its enforcement technology to additional neighborhoods, including Downtown, the South Side, and the Strip District, in the coming year.

The takeaway

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority's aggressive use of license plate scanners and cameras to issue parking tickets has led to a dramatic increase in fines collected, raising concerns about privacy, fairness, and the role of government. While officials claim the goal is improved safety and compliance, the financial windfall has led some to question the authority's true motives.