Comments on: Mayor’s Office to MTA Directors: Back Off on Parking Meters http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laura http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-137371 Laura Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:51:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-137371 Keep it strong, Bruce! Bullying and silencing is no way to "improve" any scenario. Large investor political funding should be abolished. Cronyism is moneyism. >> MAKE SURE TO VOICE YOURSELF, REGARDING FARE HIKES!! - sfmtabudget@sfmta.com - www.sfbike.org/transit - http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php > Service Charge Feedback. Or call 311. (The process is a bit of a pain in the ass, but 311 is super serious about their claims / feedback.) - gavin.newsom@sfgov.org -- Mr. Newsom, himself. We, voices and voters, make a difference en masse! Keep it strong, Bruce!

Bullying and silencing is no way to “improve” any scenario.

Large investor political funding should be abolished. Cronyism is moneyism.

>> MAKE SURE TO VOICE YOURSELF, REGARDING FARE HIKES!!

- sfmtabudget@sfmta.com
- http://www.sfbike.org/transit
- http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php > Service Charge Feedback. Or call 311. (The process is a bit of a pain in the ass, but 311 is super serious about their claims / feedback.)
- gavin.newsom@sfgov.org — Mr. Newsom, himself.

We, voices and voters, make a difference en masse!

]]> By: James Chionsini http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-127891 James Chionsini Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:40:22 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-127891 Thank you Bruce. We need more directors like you. Thank you Bruce. We need more directors like you.

]]> By: bs http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-127621 bs Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:14:03 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-127621 Way to go Bruce! If Newsom does fire you (or even if he doesn't), I suggest you run for mayor! As for Newsom, I will NEVER vote for him again if he ever runs for any office. Nor do I plan on visiting any restaurants, wineries or whatever businesses he owns. I hope his people tell him how much his stance is costing him. Way to go Bruce! If Newsom does fire you (or even if he doesn’t), I suggest you run for mayor!

As for Newsom, I will NEVER vote for him again if he ever runs for any office. Nor do I plan on visiting any restaurants, wineries or whatever businesses he owns. I hope his people tell him how much his stance is costing him.

]]> By: Mike Fogel http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-127371 Mike Fogel Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:20:22 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-127371 Stick to your guns, Bruce! Stick to your guns, Bruce!

]]> By: Sue http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-127181 Sue Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:06:43 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-127181 Bruce Oka rocks! We should all turn out to support him at the SFMTA meetings, when we can. Bruce Oka rocks! We should all turn out to support him at the SFMTA meetings, when we can.

]]> By: SFResident http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126551 SFResident Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:26:53 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126551 I should add that Bruce seems like an awesome guy who takes the responsibilities of his job seriously. Any suggests on how to help him when/if Gavin tries to bully him or push him out of his office? I should add that Bruce seems like an awesome guy who takes the responsibilities of his job seriously. Any suggests on how to help him when/if Gavin tries to bully him or push him out of his office?

]]> By: SFResident http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126541 SFResident Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:22:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126541 I just want to say, in response to Nick, that I own a car in the city and I find living and parking here to be incredibly inexpensive. I don't own a garage and I park on the street. The real estate value of my parking space alone is far more than the paltry amount of money I pay for a yearly permit. Just about the only thing that actually costs me real money in terms of parking here is paying my street sweeping fines, and those are 100% preventable. I'd gladly pay a reasonable amount of money for my parking permit in exchange for decent MUNI service. Or, rather, if we had decent MUNI service I'd probably not feel the need to own a car in the city. I just want to say, in response to Nick, that I own a car in the city and I find living and parking here to be incredibly inexpensive. I don’t own a garage and I park on the street. The real estate value of my parking space alone is far more than the paltry amount of money I pay for a yearly permit. Just about the only thing that actually costs me real money in terms of parking here is paying my street sweeping fines, and those are 100% preventable.

I’d gladly pay a reasonable amount of money for my parking permit in exchange for decent MUNI service. Or, rather, if we had decent MUNI service I’d probably not feel the need to own a car in the city.

]]> By: Sean http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126501 Sean Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:36:19 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126501 Nick, Those "cumulative" costs are a factor for drivers to consider when opting to continue to use their vehicles given that there are other options (although those are getting progressively worst by the month). If you find driving too expensive, then quit driving. The problem with a gas tax is that it unfairly (assuming for a moment that the environment is not the -only- reason to encourage transit use) penalizes those drivers with less efficient cars. Lack of space is the biggest problem, and it doesn't really matter if you get 5 or 50 mpg, your car still takes up roughly the same amount of valuable space. Nick,

Those “cumulative” costs are a factor for drivers to consider when opting to continue to use their vehicles given that there are other options (although those are getting progressively worst by the month). If you find driving too expensive, then quit driving.

The problem with a gas tax is that it unfairly (assuming for a moment that the environment is not the -only- reason to encourage transit use) penalizes those drivers with less efficient cars. Lack of space is the biggest problem, and it doesn’t really matter if you get 5 or 50 mpg, your car still takes up roughly the same amount of valuable space.

]]> By: Robo http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126321 Robo Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:33:52 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126321 How much does it cost to put in a garage, and a curb cut? The city practically gives away the street space when someone removes parking to install a driveway. The city should consider the true value of a parking space: in most neighborhoods $200/mo X 12 = $2400/yr, X, say, 30 years (the life of the average loan) = $72,000. That should be the price for a permit to remove a public parking space to install a curb cut and a garage. That could go far to closing the gap, and also dissuade homeowners from butchering the fronts of their houses. How much does it cost to put in a garage, and a curb cut? The city practically gives away the street space when someone removes parking to install a driveway. The city should consider the true value of a parking space: in most neighborhoods $200/mo X 12 = $2400/yr, X, say, 30 years (the life of the average loan) = $72,000. That should be the price for a permit to remove a public parking space to install a curb cut and a garage. That could go far to closing the gap, and also dissuade homeowners from butchering the fronts of their houses.

]]> By: Diane http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126271 Diane Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:23:34 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126271 Nick, it's actually pretty easy to get to most places in the city on Muni. I own a car, and pay all of the expenses that you mention. But when I go to an area of town that Muni serves well (like downtown, or most of the "shopping" streets), I take the bus, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of finding a parking space and then having to pay for a garage or feed a meter. I think that we SHOULD have to pay more money if we choose to drive (especially alone) instead of using public transit. Nick, it’s actually pretty easy to get to most places in the city on Muni. I own a car, and pay all of the expenses that you mention. But when I go to an area of town that Muni serves well (like downtown, or most of the “shopping” streets), I take the bus, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of finding a parking space and then having to pay for a garage or feed a meter. I think that we SHOULD have to pay more money if we choose to drive (especially alone) instead of using public transit.

]]> By: Nick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126211 Nick Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:45:09 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126211 I guess I meant to say motorists incur a high "cumulative cost" to drive in the city. In addition to the fees the City imposes upon them, they have to pay for insurance, gasoline, emergency and preventative repairs. Then vehcile registraion, smog fees, parking permits, tickets, and finally never ending curbside meters fees. My point being: if the city imposes additional marginal fees for an act as symbolic of government graft as parking meters fees, then there will be a popular backlash against the current adminsistration. It's the last straw for may people before they start seriously considering a recall. How about a citywide gas tax as a source of equitable and stable funding for transit operations? I guess I meant to say motorists incur a high “cumulative cost” to drive in the city. In addition to the fees the City imposes upon them, they have to pay for insurance, gasoline, emergency and preventative repairs. Then vehcile registraion, smog fees, parking permits, tickets, and finally never ending curbside meters fees.

My point being: if the city imposes additional marginal fees for an act as symbolic of government graft as parking meters fees, then there will be a popular backlash against the current adminsistration. It’s the last straw for may people before they start seriously considering a recall.

How about a citywide gas tax as a source of equitable and stable funding for transit operations?

]]> By: Larry-bob http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126161 Larry-bob Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:50:39 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126161 Taxes and fees should penalize things that we want to discourage, like car driving, and reward things we want to encourage, like taking public transportation. Taxes and fees should penalize things that we want to discourage, like car driving, and reward things we want to encourage, like taking public transportation.

]]> By: mikesonn http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126091 mikesonn Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:44:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126091 Nick, you confuse me. Expand on that. Because what you have written isn't true. It only costs $76/YEAR for a residential parking permit. How is that not cheap? Maybe it isn't easy, but it is easier then waiting and waiting and waiting for a bus that may never come - and when it does, it's packed to the gills. And yes, there is no law saying travel should include damage to the environment/community in its cost, but there should be one. Nick, you confuse me. Expand on that. Because what you have written isn’t true. It only costs $76/YEAR for a residential parking permit. How is that not cheap? Maybe it isn’t easy, but it is easier then waiting and waiting and waiting for a bus that may never come – and when it does, it’s packed to the gills.

And yes, there is no law saying travel should include damage to the environment/community in its cost, but there should be one.

]]> By: AP http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126071 AP Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:37:14 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126071 Bruce, we stand behind you! Bruce, we stand behind you!

]]> By: Virginia Lee http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126041 Virginia Lee Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:14:47 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126041 Hang tough Bruce! Don't be a toady like the rest of the board members. Hang tough Bruce! Don’t be a toady like the rest of the board members.

]]> By: Nick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-126021 Nick Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:06:52 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-126021 The Mayor must recognize that "sticking it to auto drivers" is not good policy considering the city already penalizes motorists a good deal already. Ask any motorist and they will tell you it is not easy, cheap, or convenient to drive in the city. There is no law that says that the amount you pay to travel has to be commesurate to the damage it causes to the community. MUNI has to find a long-term way to become fast, safe, and affordable. I think most riders will settle for at least one of these. The Mayor must recognize that “sticking it to auto drivers” is not good policy considering the city already penalizes motorists a good deal already. Ask any motorist and they will tell you it is not easy, cheap, or convenient to drive in the city.

There is no law that says that the amount you pay to travel has to be commesurate to the damage it causes to the community.

MUNI has to find a long-term way to become fast, safe, and affordable. I think most riders will settle for at least one of these.

]]> By: mikesonn http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-125961 mikesonn Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:06:19 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-125961 Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! I'm with Greg. Next time someone sees Newsom, he has to be told that parking meters have to enter the equation at some point. Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!

I’m with Greg. Next time someone sees Newsom, he has to be told that parking meters have to enter the equation at some point.

]]> By: soylatte http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-125951 soylatte Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:04:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-125951 Oka for Mayor! Oka for Mayor!

]]> By: Greg http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-125941 Greg Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:03:46 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-125941 Go Bruce. And the "Mayor" can go f*ck himself. What a douchey little jerk. Go Bruce. And the “Mayor” can go f*ck himself. What a douchey little jerk.

]]> By: Nick J http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/01/28/mayors-office-to-mta-directors-back-off-on-parking-meters/comment-page-1/#comment-125931 Nick J Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:58:35 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=127091#comment-125931 Never give up, never surrender! Go get em Bruce!!! Never give up, never surrender! Go get em Bruce!!!

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