The streets of San Francisco have something for everyone.
That would include — thanks to illegally parked cars — plentiful sources of cash for the city’s Municipal Transit Agency (MTA).
Facing a $21 million deficit now, and a projected billion dollar gap over the next 20 years, the MTA is directing parking cops to write as many tickets as possible and, according to MTA spokesman Paul Rose, “bring in the most revenue for the city.”
Part of the problem is that budget-conscious drivers are getting better at feeding their meters to avoid tickets, and that’s led to a $7 million shortfall in projected citation revenue.
Now drivers will need to be extra vigilant, because at $65.00 a pop, parking tickets in San Francisco are among the most expensive in the nation.
Fines are equally stiff for double parking, blocking a driveway, and parking in the wrong zone. The person who parks on a sidewalk will pay over $100 if they’re busted.
But it’s the tickets that instantly appear on windshields from over staying at a meter, even just a minute or two, that are causing so much frustration.
San Francisco embraces a “Transit First” philosophy, and many drivers say they feel like they’re being punished for not walking or taking a bus. Others point out parking meters were never intended to be major sources of revenue, but rather a way to encourage turnover of spaces so merchants can get more customers.
Mayoral candidate Joanna Rees has made this uptick in tickets a top campaign issue, saying a budget that relies on forgetful or illegal behavior is bad policy.
“You need to put things into a budget that you know are reliable with some things that will be adjusted. But making that fees and fines? That’s just not a smart thing to do.”
But transit officials make no apologies, and argue no one has to get a ticket.
“I hope that people do pay attention to the meters and pay the meters and all of that– but if they don’t, I know that we will. Our parking control officers will be there to enforce the laws that already exist,” says MTA Chairman Tom Nolan.
Officials plan to hire more parking control officers, and may even use street-sweepers mounted with cameras to help them catch vehicles parked illegally, as the streets of San Francisco get a little less friendly.
