Wow... I didn't think parking meters were that important until I found this post (and read the comments). You'd think that the extra quarter in the parking meter was the difference between life and death. I guess the question to ask is, is it?
First of all, both the arguments on this blog are very superfluous (the one by Yglesias and the other expressed by commenters on the blog), and I would like to take a moment to gawk at that. First of all, for Yglesias, I seriously doubt that the increased rates on parking meters (which by the way, isn't going to be more then an extra 25-30 cents for an hour) are going to heavily impact people's decision to park in the city. This rate increase isn't going to cut down traffic in the city by a significant amount and it isn't going to reduce the effects of global warming. It is, however, and this was a very good point made by Yglesias, going to help to support public programs which otherwise might fail under economic stress. Other types of taxes are particularly difficult to raise in California, and a raise on the rates of parking meters is a much more simple and financially reasonable fund raising strategy in today's economy.
So, why is the other side so pissed off? Well thats probably because their argument is just as dramatically overplayed. Trust me, if people who are in the city enough to be burdened by the raise in parking costs (aka, the people who LIVE in the city), those people will do one of two things, either a) take public transportation or b) walk/ride a bike... Isn't it amazing? They solved their parking issue WITHOUT having to foreclose their house, eerie I know. My point is, the extra quarter is really only going to effect the people who live and park in the city every day, many of whom by the way already do one of those two things. Those people who don't are just going to have to deal with taking public transportation, and yes, its not as convenient as taking a car, but at least this way they don't have to pay for gas.
All that being said, I am in favor of an increase in parking rates, partly because I use public transportation in the city, but also because it isn't going to be as bad as people think. A little good might go a long way, might as well give it a shot.
EDIT: The title was something of a satire, I wasn't seriously asking if Parking Meters were going to end the recession...
10 comments:
well for us that isn't so bad, but for people in San Fransisco and other major city centers they already have to pay like a dollar for an hour. I doubt this will end the recession but it may help. I don't know how big an impact parking meters has on the economy.
Parking meters definitely won't end the recession. The only thing that will do that is to simply let the recession happen and let the markets correct themselves.
Also I would much rather have government revenue come from parking meters than have revenue from taxes.
An increase in parking meter rates probably won't end the recession and it most likely won't affect a person's decision to pay for parking. People who are against the plan should take public transportation, walk, or ride a bike, it's good for the environment, saves money, and a reason to exercise. Honestly, a few more cents is not too much to ask for, especially since the money is used to help the city anyways.
The price of everything else is going up hell why not parking too!! I think it's a great idea and that they should make it go up even MORE, but I guess even more people wouldn't go for that. It sounds like it would be a good idea here in San Mateo too right? I know we don't have the same amount of public transit here, to the same extent as SF I mean, but we DO have buses and the train. And like we've already said, 25 or 30 cents isn't that much but can probably make at least a little difference.
And of COURSE it won't end the recession! But yeah it's better than taxes!
ultimately, higher parking meters probably won't make any difference in fact, it might even make business do worse. After all, poublic transit and biking is nice, but people are definitly not going to go downtown as often if they do and therefore, are not going to shop as often. The benefits seem to small to help anyone and i think it is a waste of time changing all of these parking meter for new price
I am not opposed to this idea. 25-30 cents more an hour isn't drastic. It will accumulate, providing a helpful increase in revenue for the city. It may reduce traffic. If people start walking, riding their bikes, or taking public transportation, then this would also help reduce pollution (as well as lowering the percentag eof obesity!). At the moment, gas prices are low and people should not complain. However, maybe increasing rates on meters will prove a lot more effective and beneficial once gas prices increase again and people start to feel the need to cut down on the driving.
However, I do believe that public transportation in some cities is not as efficient as it could be. When I lived in Barcelona, I took public transportation every day and it got me exactly where I needed to go in a short time. The train goes in and out of the city, the metro is underground and transports people within the city, and there are many lines of buses that take people even shorter distances. All are very cheap, fast, and timely. Even professional business men in suits took the train. I was in San Francisco the other day, and I noticed that the buses were so crowded that people were practically sitting on each other. Maybe the extra revenue from an increase in rates on parking meters could be used towards improving public transportation. If public transportation were more accomodating, people would be more willing to take advantage of it and then there would be a better chance of reducing pollution and traffic.
Dumb idea. it just costs more money and isnt going to do anything. the market will learn if government stays out of the affairs of business. increasing government size is only going to make the economy worse unless the government takes over completely. i dont want to live in a socialist country (not that it wouldnt work), so i am in favor of keeping the government small. giving it money by charging more at parking meters is going to do nothing but waste the people's money.
i guess it might encourage people to take public transit, and be environmentally sound. but it wont do anything to help the economy.
While it's true that those who do not wish to pay the extra 25 cents could take other forms of transportation, I highly doubt many people will be willing to do so. Many people still drove cars rather than use public transportation even with a rapid increase in gas prices. Ultimately, I can't see this having a positive effect on the environment as I doubt people will think much of the price increase over the convenience of driving.
I agree with you in two ways:
1. I agree that raising the price of parking meters will do the city some good in the form of fundraising. I mean I'm sure people won't die if they have to contribute 25 more cents to their parking, but then again some parking the city is getting pretty ridiculous. My friend just the other day told me she had to park at a lot that charged 14 bucks because she had no where else to park! However, parking meters are another story...
2. The impact on the lives of the people living in the city (us not so much) will change if they dont want to pay for parking. If one person decides to take public transportation or just decides to walk or bike it will help the enviornment. Every little thing counts!
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