RTC Parking 101: What Happens if I Refuse to Pay?

When weekday paid parking goes into effect at Reston Town Center Sept. 12, visitors will have to learn a new system that includes, among other things, downloading and using an App; scanning a beacon for validation; or rushing to a kiosk to manually pay by cash or credit card.

That has led more than a few patrons to say they will no longer visit the town center. Or they will take their chances and not pay the $2 an hour.

Here’s how RTC owner Boston Properties plans to enforce parking violations.

Boston Properties says it will use a “soft touch” for the first several months that paid parking is in effect.

“This is a obviously a big change for Reston Town Center,” said BP Property Manager Matt Bonifant. “We have listened to the [visitor] feedback.”

Bonifant said they will progressively warn violators, but they will not ticket or tow (which is a change from current procedures). Patrons can expect leniency, say, for parking over the allotted time period or a one-time offense.

But with the new system in place, security can track how many times you have visited RTC and NOT paid, so repeat offenders should be aware, Bonifant said.

Repeat offenders could be stuck with the “bumblebee,” a device that is suctioned to the windshield so a driver cannot see out to drive a car away. To get the device removed, they must call security and pay a $35 fee.

Indicator lights will also blink when your car is in violation, letting security know to come check it out, Bonifant said.

Photo: The device that could be suctioned to your front windshield for repeat parking violations.