LAist: Cheap Parking Still Causing Traffic

ubrayj02

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:23:53 -0800

Old Town Pasadena sends their meter money directly into the shopping district that generates that revenue. L.A. takes meter money and puts it into a City Council slush fund. If local merchants knew that that meter money was going to make sure that their sidewalks were steam cleaned and crack free, that their street plantings would be maintained, that police would be present and helpful, etc. they would be in favor of this. The City takes and takes from its businesses, but rarely gives back unless it is in the form of a hand-out (in the form of low interest loans to update facades and the like).

Scott the Poet

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:31:52 -0800

It is true that - in general - changes like higher priced parking and congesting pricing force people to adopt alternatives. The problem with these changes in LA is that there aren't any alternatives. Public transportation in LA simply isn't robust enough for people to abandon their cars, regardless of the cost of parking or toll roads. In the end, these moves simply drive up the cost of living and divert funds from other activities or savings.

Rocktageous

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:53:13 -0800

Oh, and Old Town Pasadena has Gold Line stops as well.

Rocktageous

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:52:02 -0800

Old Town Pasadena has big city lots where you can go, avoiding those meters in the first place. Expensive meters in Westwood would help out valets and private lots. Westwood needs to have another city lot in the east/southeast section.

Hindinwood

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:32:57 -0800

I don't see how raising the price by just 50 cents is going to make any difference... The only think that would maybe change traffic patterns is if street parking were prohibitivly expensive, but then that's not really fair to lower-income residents who also pay taxes.

Zach Behrens

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:50:58 -0800

I wouldn't say it's bullshit by any means -- I believe it because I do it myself. It's not the one answer to the problem, but it is part of the solution.

caliking01

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:54:46 -0800

BULLSHIT.