Dartblog

It is perhaps not often that we get the chance to comment upon sensible social or political solutions coming out of San Francisco I am happy to praise the city for this particular measure. In a city with terrible parking, it simply does not make sense to charge 25 cents per half-hour or whatever nickel and dime rates prevail in that city. A new proposal seeks to allocate parking based on what is closer to need, which is to say, how much people are willing to pay.

On its face the proposal may seem harsh, current pocket change rates are expected to go as high as $6 an hour, new rates to be periodically reevaluated with changes in demand. Short of selling these spots to private companies, this sounds like a fine plan. Nobody likes to pay more for parking, but I think this plan ensures that those who need parking the most, get it. Someone who, say, desperately needs items at a grocery or pharmacy will be willing to pay for a spot. On the other hand, a casual clothing shopper might park at a slightly less convenient but cheaper spot and make the walk, or better yet (listen up environmentalists) find that there is new incentive to leave the car at home.