Comments on: Newsom Speaks Out on MTA Budget; Vote to Reject Hinges on Maxwell http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:16:44 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Josh http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5432 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 00:15:35 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5432 "There have been dramatic increases in parking, fines and fees related to automobile use" Correct me if I'm wrong, but parking meter rates will have gone up by about the same percent (100%) since 2003 if this fare increase is approved. Parking tickets by much less, fees even less so. And enforcement of those fees and rates is minimal, as reported here among other places. My favorite quote about parking revenue enforcement, by former Supe McGoldrick: "Heck, if we got it up to a 50 percent collection rate, we could offer free massages on the buses" "There have been dramatic increases in parking, fines and fees related to automobile use"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but parking meter rates will have gone up by about the same percent (100%) since 2003 if this fare increase is approved. Parking tickets by much less, fees even less so.

And enforcement of those fees and rates is minimal, as reported here among other places. My favorite quote about parking revenue enforcement, by former Supe McGoldrick:

"Heck, if we got it up to a 50 percent collection rate, we could offer free massages on the buses"

]]> By: SfResident http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5425 SfResident Tue, 12 May 2009 17:26:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5425 Remember y'all, don't just e-mail your supervisor - e-mails are too easy to ignore and delete, call them. If nothing else, you know that the mayor and his flunkies are going to be out in full-force so us pro-transit folk might as well throw our voices into the mix. Some handy numbers: Dufty - (415) 554-6968 Maxwell - (415) 554-7670 Remember y'all, don't just e-mail your supervisor - e-mails are too easy to ignore and delete, call them. If nothing else, you know that the mayor and his flunkies are going to be out in full-force so us pro-transit folk might as well throw our voices into the mix.

Some handy numbers:

Dufty - (415) 554-6968

Maxwell - (415) 554-7670

]]> By: Schtu http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5424 Schtu Tue, 12 May 2009 17:24:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5424 How come there has not been talk of an increase in Residential Parking Permit fees. I just renewed mine and frankly it is too low. I get preferential parking for about $6.50 a month? It should be double that at minimum. How come there has not been talk of an increase in Residential Parking Permit fees. I just renewed mine and frankly it is too low. I get preferential parking for about $6.50 a month? It should be double that at minimum.

]]> By: Greg http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5423 Greg Tue, 12 May 2009 17:09:34 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5423 Adrienne it's an all or nothing decision at this point because the Mayor's MTA Board refused to listen to their own staff, to the owner/riders of Muni, or the Board. They have caved and allowed the Mayor to use the MTA as a cash machine for other departments with work orders that violate the 2007 Measure A that voters approved to give the MTA more money. This is the only option and it is really unfortunate to see Bevan Dufty go back on his vote and cave in to the Mayor. I was wondering if his muni advocacy of late was for real or just a ploy and I guess we have answer. Adrienne it's an all or nothing decision at this point because the Mayor's MTA Board refused to listen to their own staff, to the owner/riders of Muni, or the Board. They have caved and allowed the Mayor to use the MTA as a cash machine for other departments with work orders that violate the 2007 Measure A that voters approved to give the MTA more money.

This is the only option and it is really unfortunate to see Bevan Dufty go back on his vote and cave in to the Mayor. I was wondering if his muni advocacy of late was for real or just a ploy and I guess we have answer.

]]> By: CBrinkman http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5422 CBrinkman Tue, 12 May 2009 17:00:32 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5422 The MTA's own studies (from congestion charging research) show that car drivers visit commercial districts in SF less often and spend less per visit then transit riders and self propelled visitors - so why not charge them on evenings and weekends - why the free ride when they don't contribute as much? Parking; the 3rd rail of SF politics. I e-mailed Sup Dufty but I imagine he and Sup Maxwell are getting the full court press. I do not envy them today. Hold firm Sup Maxwell! The MTA's own studies (from congestion charging research) show that car drivers visit commercial districts in SF less often and spend less per visit then transit riders and self propelled visitors - so why not charge them on evenings and weekends - why the free ride when they don't contribute as much?

Parking; the 3rd rail of SF politics. I e-mailed Sup Dufty but I imagine he and Sup Maxwell are getting the full court press. I do not envy them today. Hold firm Sup Maxwell!

]]> By: the greasy bear http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5421 the greasy bear Tue, 12 May 2009 17:00:04 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5421 What is the argument for granting private motorists free parking on our public streets while simultaneously socking it to public transit riders? What is the argument for granting private motorists free parking on our public streets while simultaneously socking it to public transit riders?

]]> By: Chris http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5417 Chris Tue, 12 May 2009 09:18:54 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5417 Last time I checked, if you get a parking ticket you are (95% of the time) at fault. You also have a choice to drive to the city and park. Also, if you drop $100 on a meal, an extra $2 on parking is couch change. For us real San Franciscans who take the bus, we have already dealt with a 50% fare increase in the past few years. We will be looking at a 100% increase in the current budget and less service. NOBODY comes to the City on Sundays just because of free meters. And half the folks who park in the evening have no clue when the meters switch to free. I propose change the meter time to 8PM but do not enforce it for 3 months. Give people a chance to adjust. Last time I checked, if you get a parking ticket you are (95% of the time) at fault. You also have a choice to drive to the city and park. Also, if you drop $100 on a meal, an extra $2 on parking is couch change. For us real San Franciscans who take the bus, we have already dealt with a 50% fare increase in the past few years. We will be looking at a 100% increase in the current budget and less service. NOBODY comes to the City on Sundays just because of free meters. And half the folks who park in the evening have no clue when the meters switch to free. I propose change the meter time to 8PM but do not enforce it for 3 months. Give people a chance to adjust.

]]> By: The Overhead Wire http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5416 The Overhead Wire Tue, 12 May 2009 08:14:43 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5416 I already wrote Bevan an email today voicing my concern. He will also not get a vote from me... I already wrote Bevan an email today voicing my concern. He will also not get a vote from me...

]]> By: sfmike http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5414 sfmike Tue, 12 May 2009 07:22:53 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5414 Bevan Dufty has been casting terrible votes and playing sleazy old-fashioned, small town San Francisco politics since the day he was elected. I've found that the best attitude to take is not to expect anything from him, which will allow him to occasionally surprise one with a good vote or idea. He learned his trade at the knee of Willie Brown, Jr. so there really is nothing forward-looking about him at all, and probably never will be. Bevan Dufty has been casting terrible votes and playing sleazy old-fashioned, small town San Francisco politics since the day he was elected. I've found that the best attitude to take is not to expect anything from him, which will allow him to occasionally surprise one with a good vote or idea. He learned his trade at the knee of Willie Brown, Jr. so there really is nothing forward-looking about him at all, and probably never will be.

]]> By: Adrienne http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5413 Adrienne Tue, 12 May 2009 07:19:04 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5413 If we were to combine maintaining service with increased fares, and put 7 day a week metered parking in all non-residential areas, would this be opposed? There appears to be a need for compromise here, with everyone giving something to move forward. Why are these discussions always an all or nothing proposition? If we were to combine maintaining service with increased fares, and put 7 day a week metered parking in all non-residential areas, would this be opposed? There appears to be a need for compromise here, with everyone giving something to move forward. Why are these discussions always an all or nothing proposition?

]]> By: SfResident http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5412 SfResident Tue, 12 May 2009 05:42:33 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5412 Agree w/ murphstahoe. This other district 8 constituent is also hopping mad that Bevan would vote to approve this monstrosity of a budget. I don't see a political future for any supervisor who thinks that destroying transit in the city is a good long-term solution. Agree w/ murphstahoe. This other district 8 constituent is also hopping mad that Bevan would vote to approve this monstrosity of a budget. I don't see a political future for any supervisor who thinks that destroying transit in the city is a good long-term solution.

]]> By: murphstahoe http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/05/12/newsom-speaks-out-on-mta-budget-vote-to-reject-hinges-on-maxwell/comment-page-1/#comment-5411 murphstahoe Tue, 12 May 2009 05:23:51 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2126#comment-5411 Gavin says "It would be very easy to oppose this budget" when in fact going against the Mayor and forcing action is the tough choice. David Chiu is a blessing for the City. Should Bevan follow this direction he will be getting a note from this District 8 constituent, and he will not get my vote for Mayor. Gavin says "It would be very easy to oppose this budget" when in fact going against the Mayor and forcing action is the tough choice. David Chiu is a blessing for the City. Should Bevan follow this direction he will be getting a note from this District 8 constituent, and he will not get my vote for Mayor.

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