Parking - April 2010 - 22

Newstrack
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) May Need Higher Fare Hikes
The price of MetroCards will be raised by at least eight percent next year, however a new report claims the MTA will need to raise prices a whole lot more in order to close a multi-million dollar budget gap. Commuters may face price hikes of nearly 15 percent. That means basic fare could shoot to nearly $2.50 or $2.75 as opposed to $2.25. In addition, a monthly MetroCard could sell for a whopping $102 as opposed to the current price of $89. So far, no comment from the MTA on the study. A big fare hike could be prevented if the idea of congestion pricing is put back on the table. The main premise of the idea centers around charging cars $8 for driving into Manhattan. That extra cash would be turned over to the MTA. The mayor has publicly endorsed the idea of congestion pricing since its inception in 2008.

California Bill Takes Aim at Basic Right: Free Parking
For many drivers in California, the right to free parking is as fundamental as freedom of speech or the right to bear arms. Politicians who challenge the California car culture do so at their own peril. But that hasn’t stopped state Sen. Alan Lowenthal from pushing legislation to reduce the amount of free parking available in California cities. Not that it’s free everywhere—downtown Los Angeles and San Francisco, for example, charge high rates like most large cities do. And most cities have parking meters in congested areas. Still, the Democrat from Long Beach hopes to create incentives for cities to reduce car use and protect the environment by making motorists pay a greater share of the true cost of parking. The measure was approved by the senate last month and awaits action in the state assembly. “This bill encourages cities to take a second look at their parking policies and incorporate free-market principles where it makes sense,” says Lowenthal, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. “I see this bill as a way to stimulate economic development.” But that is not how the bill has been received by many motorists. Its progress in the legislature has sparked a Webbased outcry from drivers who contend that the plan is aimed at helping parking operators make more money and would further damage the state’s fragile economy. The bill is supported by environmental groups that see the proposal as a way to cut carbon emissions and by business groups that want to reduce the number of parking spaces required with new construction.

Dallas Parking Lot Has New Tool in ‘Booting’ Battle
A small machine should help motorists beat the booters in the city’s Deep Ellum entertainment district. A solar-powered parking machine is now providing receipts in a self-pay lot on Elm Street. Customers must leave the receipt on their dashboard as proof of payment. Dallas’ new booting ordinance expanded city-wide in early February, days before NBA All-Star events. It requires parking lot operators to either provide receipts or they can’t boot or tow vehicles. Since the change, the city says it hasn’t received any additional complaints.

National Parking Association PARKING April 2010

Parking - April 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Parking - April 2010