DRIVERS are fuming over a new surge pricing scheme that’s skyrocketed the cost of public parking.
Some locals in the major city have said were tempted to park illegally after learning it would be cheaper to get a ticket.
The pricing went into effect in San Diego, California, at the start of the month, and now rates shoot up from $2.50 an hour to $10 an hour if a major event is going on.
For example, if a driver is parked near a Major League Baseball game, they could end up shelling out a whopping $60.
Drivers were horrified by the change, with some saying they had to completely alter their travel plans to dodge the fee.
One local, Daunte Haynes, said he now has to walk around thirteen blocks to save on cash.
“I’m not paying an extra $60 on top of how expensive it already is to live downtown,” he told Fox affiliate KUSI.
Another driver Vanessa Arellano said that, because traveling with her baby is time-consuming, they could end up spending a pretty penny to enjoy the downtown amenities.
“We pretty much would end up maxing out at the time,” she said.
Residents became even more frustrated after realizing that parking at an expired meter only costs $58.50, including a $3.50 service fee for paying online.
Some have suggested that they’re better off risking the tickets and potentially paying out a cost that’s cheaper than surge pricing.
This realization has led those who once supported the program to rethink its approach, such as District 7 councilmember Raul Campillo.
“I think that we need to put a pause on the program as it stands and get more feedback to understand what price point is most appropriate, and listen to the people who live and work downtown,” he said.
The new surge pricing plan focuses on a half-mile radius around Petco Park, home stadium for the San Diego Padres.
When an event is ongoing that draws crowds of 10,000 or more, drivers parking in this radius will see the change in metered parking rates.
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there’s a ticket you weren’t prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
- Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
- Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren’t cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren’t “obvious” are great things to photograph, too.
- Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
- Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
- When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument: I didn’t know the law; I was on my way to move my car; I can’t afford this ticket; I’ve been doing this for years; or I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK.
- Contact a lawyer. If you’re running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader’s Digest
This pricing begins two hours before an event and will last for four hours after, with meters capping at $60 total.
The mayor’s office said they implemented the rules because metered parking is an “incredibly limited resource,” Director of Communications Rachel Laing told the local outlet.
She explained that they want to incentivize customers visiting local establishments to use the spots instead of employees or residents who “park all day long.”
The surge parking pricing is part of larger reform by the city which is expected to bring in over $18 million in revenue in total next fiscal year, Laing said.
“100% of the proceeds will get reinvested into sidewalk, parking, and streetlight improvements,” according to the statement.
Meanwhile, law enforcement has reminded drivers that they will have to shell out a $40 late fee if they don’t pay tickets on time.
It will also cost a whopping $400 to recover a car that is towed.
SURGE PRICING NATIONWIDE
San Diego is simply the latest in a string of cities to implement similar reform in an effort to generate revenue.
Following New York City’s implementation of congestion zone relief pricing, the MTA recently proposed an increase to subway, bus, Metro North, and Long Island Rail Road fares, as well as an increase to bridge and tunnel tolls.
In Missouri, a city recently changed which department controls parking enforcement, resulting in a massive increase in parking citations issued, and subsequent revenue generated.
