LAist: Increased Parking Meter Fees Empty City Parking Lot, Fill Side Streets

hp

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:02:46 -0800

Let's take some of the revenue and create safe, metered motorcycle/scooter parking in high traffic commercial areas. A real alternative to reduce transportation mass. Please feel free to use some of the space from the useless and frustrating 'mini red zones' in between automobile parking spaces.

greenlagirl

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:51:35 -0800

I believe people in residential areas can sign a petition or something like it to get permit parking in their neighborhood, which is probably what will happen now that metered parking's forcing people in to residential streets. Then, hopefully, Shoup's recommendations will play out the way they're supposed to, with cars going into lots instead of circling meters or clogging up residential parking.

Hindinwood

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:23:14 -0800

^^^I mean, I understand what you're saying on one hand, and I would really love to encourage people to ditch their cars as well. I think where it becomes problematic is if that is really the objective, it's probably not going to work with people who are more well off and don't have a problem with paying 5 bucks or whatever to park. The hardest demographic to sell on public transit is people who are financially comfortable, but that is exactly what the future of the city is depending on, what with all the transit villages, etc. I'm just not sure this strategy is the solution to that problem.

GarySe7en

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:02:25 -0800

As long as we continue to subsidize driving convenience by under pricing parking where it is in demand, we will never get the kind of alternative transit ridership that we need. It's an unfair playing field when driving subsidization dwarfs transit subsidies many times over. Right now most street parking is far less then near by parking garages and lots. This results in as much as 20% of traffic at peak times in downtown being drivers cruising for an available space. I think there should be a cap on the high end so it stays within reason. Also in a true Shoup style system you wouldn't have people not parking at the expensive spot, because pricing would be a sliding scale relative to demand. If it's priced so high no one comes, then that isn't market value, it's above market value. Making the system work requires finding the sweet spot. This system as it is currently implemented will fail because like I said it's half assed, it doesn't follow the theory, it just pays a token glance to it.

Hindinwood

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:44:50 -0800

Basically what Donald Shoup's parking theories mean. is that only those with money will be able to park their cars. I'm sure everyone has seen the ourtrageous prices that people are willing to pay for parking if it's within their means (USC game-$60!!!), so you will be opening public street parking to the free-market. I don't even own a car, but that seems a bit unfair to me. Then again, it seems like everyone has been avoiding the more expensive meters at all costs so...maybe the market won't support it?

GarySe7en

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:14 -0800

Regarding parking theory though, rate changes have to be done in a manner that reflects market rate, and if you have free parking on neighboring side streets it will not work. That distorts the market. If you make gas taxes higher on a gas station 2 blocks down from one with free gas, then who the hell wants to go to the one that costs money. Then of course the free gas will run out quickly just like parking spaces on the side streets that will fill. True parking reform needs to be looked at on a larger and more comprehensive scale, and pricing should be raised incrementally to try and maintain about 85% spaces filled according to urban planner and parking expert Donald Shoup. LA hates to do things in a comprehensive manner unfortunately. Much better to half assed do part of the theory and then say, hey look this half of a theory isn't working.

GarySe7en

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:49:50 -0800

Red Line Party Train, CHOO CHOO!!

jackjood

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:00:57 -0800

Transit! Late night red line service begins THIS WEEKEND!!

wiyum

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:40:19 -0800

and the highland park rates probably went up to make more money of the gold line riders who clogged the lot when gas prices went up. they can also afford to pay more. let's stop subsidizing car riders. hike parking meters and make transit more frequent, reliable and free!

wiyum

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:39:14 -0800

maybe you will all ride the bus more often.

spam33

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:38:24 -0800

I've noticed the meters along Las Palmas, Cherokee, and Wilcox are practically empty during the day. Can't say if it's effecting the side streets...that area of Hollywood is ALWAYS full, no matter what time of day.

Zach Behrens

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:52:06 -0800

spam33, what effect, if any, has it had?

spam33

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:35:14 -0800

Yes, Hollywood has recently raised the meters from $1/hr to $2/hr.